Life And Letters Of John Albert Broadus

LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

WORKS OF

JOHN A. BROADUS

(a) Biblical Helps.

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(a) Commentary on Matthew. 650 octavo pages,
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(3) Jesus of Nazareth: I. His Personal Character;
II. His Ethical Teachings ; III His Supernatural Works.
Lectures before the Y. M. C. A. of Johns Hopkins Univers-
ity. 75 cents.

(5) Preaching.

(4) Treatise on the Preparation and Delirery of
Sermons. $1.75.

(5) Lectures on the History of Preaching. $1.50.

(6) Sermons and Addresses. With Portrait. $1.50.

(c) Biographical.

(7) Memoir of James P. Boyce, D. X>., X-X>. X>«,

President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
$1.75.

(d) Miscellaneous.

(8) Small Treatises on Living Topics (American Baptist
Publication Society) Three Questions as to the Bible,
8 cents ; Paramount and Permanent Authority of the
Bible, six copies for 10 cents; Duty of Baptists to
Teach their Distinctive Views, 5 cents ; Immersion Essential
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LIFE AND LETTERS

OF

JOHN ALBERT BROADUS

BY

ARCHIBALD THOMAS ROBERTSON

Trofessor of the Interpretation of the V^ew Testament in the
Southern 'Baptist Theological Seminary

ThAte is no life of a man faithfully recorded, but is a heroic poem

-Carlyle

PHILADELPHIA

Bmetican Baptist publication
1910

Copyright IQOX by the
AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY

Published May, x

from the Society'* own pees?

" Si quis piorum manibus locus ; si, ut sapientibus
placet, non cum corpora exstinguuntur magnae animse :
placide quiescas, nosque, domum tuam, ab infirmo de-
siderio, et muliebribus lamentis, ad contemplationem
virtutum tuarum voces, quas neque lugeri, neque plangi
fas est : admiratione te potius, quam temporalibus laudi-
bus, et, si natura suppeditet, aemulatione decoremus.
Is verus honos, ea coniunctissimi cuiusque pietas. Id
filiae quoque, uxorique praeceperim, sic patris, sic mariti
memoriam venerari, ut omnia facta dictaque eius secum
revolvant, famamque ac figuram animi magis quam cor-
poris, complectantur : non quia intercedendum putem
imagimbus, quae marmore aut asre fmguntur : sed ut vul-
tus hominum, ita simulacra vultus imbecilla ac mortalia
sunt ; forma mentis aeterna ; quam tenere et exprimere,
non per alienam materiam et artem, sed tuis ipse mori-
bus, possis. Quidquid ex Agricola amavimus, quidquid
mirati sumus, manet mansurumque est in animis homi-
num, in aeternitate temporum, fama rerum. Nam multos
veterum, velut inglorios et ignobiles, oblivio obruet:
Agricola, posteritati narratus et traditus, superstes erit."

TACITUS DE AGRICOLA.

X PREFACE

their lives to it. No institution has had a nobler history
of sacrifice and heroism. It is enough to fire the blood
of every lover of Christian education. It is certainly
" one of the great achievements of our time."

But the life of Doctor Broadus would be worth the tell-
ing apart from his share in this high performance. His
personal character, accurate scholarship, original think-
ing, marvelous preaching, matchless teaching, great wis-
dom, rare personal influence, breadth of view, high ideals,
and earnest piety, mark him as one of the foremost
products of American manhood, one of the ripest fruits of
modern Christianity. The high praise here given will seem
sober truth to the multitudes who felt the joyous touch
of his personal power and will be amply justified to those
who knew him not by the life story here unfolded. It
is not an exaggeration to say that he was the pride of
American Baptists and his influence is undying among us.

The materials for the early part of Doctor Broadus's
life are not so abundant as for the later years, and yet
enough is known to trace with clearness his childhood
and to give a fair picture of his youth. He himself began
to jot down notes of his early days, but he could not find
time to finish them. A visit to the scenes of his child-
hood revealed many points of interest concerning his boy-
hood.

Enough good material exists for several volumes. The
selection has been made on the principle of keeping Doc-
tor Broadus himself constantly before us and from vary-
ing and progressive points of view. This will explain to
some why their letters are not used. Chapter X!L alone
could have been made a whole volume. At every point
in the European and Oriental tour Doctor Broadus wrote
careful descriptions of surpassing interest. From Rome
he sent some fifty pages of discriminating criticism. So
it was at Jerusalem, Athens, everywhere, Besides the

PREFACE XI

letters there was the diary in the Oriental part of the
trip. Nearly all this had to be reluctantly passed by and
only the more personal parts introduced.

It would not be possible to recount the many courtesies
received from numerous friends, besides the family and
other relatives, who have gladly furnished material for
this work. A general acknowledgment of gratitude is "
here made. But I must acknowledge special indebted-
ness to Prof. F. H. Smith, LL. D., for help on the Univer-
sity of Virginia period, and to Dr. W. H. Whitsitt for
information concerning Doctor Broadus's work in the
Seminary.

Chapter XV. is written by one of Doctor Broadus's
daughters, Mrs. S. C. Mitchell, and gives a fresh view of
our many-sided scholar. The copious and useful Index
is the work of another daughter, Miss E. S. Broadus.

It remains that I acknowledge gratefully the kindness
of my colleagues, Drs. J. R. Sampey and E. C. Dargan,
who have read the book in manuscript and offered many
helpful suggestions. I have sought to be just toward all
the many interests that touch such a life as that of Doc-
tor Broadus.

It has been a labor of love through these four years to
work over the facts and forces in the career of John A.
Broadus. How often I have felt him at my side with the
old familar smile and cheery tone as during the ten years
that I was permitted to rejoice in his companionship. If
the story of this life of "plain living and high thinking"
shall stir to like endeavor some regal spirit, I shall be
satisfied.

A. T. ROBERTSON.

LOUISVILLE, Kv.f January x, 1901.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Doctor Broadus in his prime Frontispiece

The young Charlottesville preacher 134

Fac-simile of letter accepting professorship in the Seminary .... 159

Doctor Broadus in the " seventies " 280

Fae-simile of letter to Doctor Bqyce about standing by the Seminary 289
Doctor Broadus during the last years 372

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

THE BROADDUS FAMILY ............... i-io

CHAPTER II
MAJOR EDMUND BROADUS ..............

CHAPTER III

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS ............ 21-35

CHAPTER IV

THE SCHOOLMASTER ................. 36-54

CHAPTER V

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT .............. 55-74

CHAPTER VI

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA ................ 75-95

CHAPTER VII
CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY ...... 96-133

CHAPTER VIII
CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY (Continued) . 134-167

CHAPTER IX

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK .......... 168-185

CHAPTER X
THE SHOCK OF WAR ................. 186-211

CHAPTER XI
MAKING A NEW START ................ 212-237

CHAPTER XII

A YEAR ABROAD ................... 238-279

xiii

XIV CONTENTS

CHAPTER XIII

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 280-306

CHAPTER XIV

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 307-323

CHAPTER XV

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 324-335

By ALICE BROADUS MITCHELL.
CHAPTER XVI

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY .... 336-371

CHAPTER XVII
SUCCEEDING DOCTOR BOYCE AS PRESIDENT .... 372-415

CHAPTER XVIII

THE LAST YEAR 416-450

LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

CHAPTER I
THE BROADDUS FAMILY

Pure livers were they all, austere and grave,
And fearing God ; the very children taught
Stern self-respect, a reverence for God's word,
And an habitual piety.

— Wordsworth

EARLY in the eighteenth century, Edward Broaddus
came from Wales to Gwynn's Island, Virginia.
All the American Broadduses seem to be descended
from him, and the family name is most often met through-
out the South and Northwest It is certain that the
family is not properly of Welsh, i. e.t Celtic origin, but
is Anglo-Saxon. The name was originally Broadhurst,
and in that form still lingers in South Wales and is com-
mon in England, while it is found also in Kentucky and
other States of the Union. Dr. John A. Broadus him-
self wrote :

The name Broaddus, according to tradition in the family, is a con-
traction of Broadhurst, One of the family [J. A, B.] found some
years ago in London that whenever he gave his name to a shop-
keeper or the like for sending home a package, it was without hesi-
tation written Broadhurst. The name corresponds to Whitehurst,
Deerhurst, Penhurst, Medhurst, etc. The word Hurst alone is also
a family name. It signifies a wooded hill or knoll, so that all the
names of the group are primarily territorial. While the name is evi-
dently Anglo-Saxon, it is a tradition that the family came from
Wales. The late Professor Benjamin Davies, of Regent's Park
College, London, explained this by stating that there has long been

2 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

a consldeiable Anglo-Saxon settlement in South Wales. He once
lived there and remembers the name Hurst as existing among them.
. . The name Bioadhurst is frequently found in London, and Henry
Broadhurst is now a member of Parliament, and was a member of
Mr. Gladstone's last government.'7 *

We are all familiar with a similar situation in the case
of the immigration of the Scotch to the north of Ireland.
All the descendants of the first Virginia Broaddus, Ed-
ward, spell the name with two d's save the families of
Major Edmund Broadus and Major William Broadus.
Various legends are afloat to account for this variation in
the Culpeper family. Dr. John A. Broadus explains it
as follows:8

The three brothers, William, Thomas, and James (sons of Wil-
liam), probably after their father's death, began to spell their name
Broadus. There is a tradition that they were led to do so by a
somewhat eccentiic maternal uncle, who was fond of objecting to
the use of unnecessary letters in words. There are many similar
cases of slight divergence in the spelling of family names, as Brown,
Browne, Broun ; Thomson, Thompson ; and probably Leigh and Lee*
Thomas Broadus, who died in 1811, expressed a wish that his sons
should return to spelling the name Broaddus, and William F. and
Andrew, who were children at the time, did so. But Edmund, being
already a teacher, with some business relations, feared business
complications if he should make the change. Descendants of Ed-
mund and those of Major William Broadus, are probably the only
persons who now spell the name with one '* d J> ; also some who
have Broadus as a middle or first name.

There is a famous story about "the two d's*' told on
Dr. William F. Broaddus, who was very particular to

1 Page 19, /„ " The History of the Broaddus Family." by Dr. Andrew Broaddus, of
Sparta, Va , 1888, which is the source of most of the facts for this chapter. An ex-
cellent example is set In this volume for other Anwrican fdnuht't. Family history
should be preserved for every reason. The restlessness of America hardly permits
that stability of family life which Is seen in England. But the coming > ears will
witness less movement to the west. Dr. John A. Broadus wrote a brief introduction
to this volume as well as the account of his branch of the family, excepting, of
course, the sketch of himself.

6 " History of the Broaddus Family," p. 135.

THE BROADDUS FAMILY 3

use both d's. While he was pastor at Fredericksburg,
Va., a new church was built. He gave directions to the
brother in charge of marking his pew to "be sure and
put in the two d's." But for some reason his pew re-
mained nameless. It turned out that the good brother
was so shocked at the preacher's lack of taste in wanting
D, D. put on the plate that he left it blank. He did not
understand "the two d's."

Edward Broaddus, the progenitor of the American
Broadduses, left Gwynn's Island, in 1715, and settled in
Caroline County, Va,, which county has since been the
Mecca of all the Broaddus clans. The lower part of
Caroline was then in King and Queen County. There
he purchased a farm and lived to the age of seventy.
He was twice married a.il had seven sons and two
daughters. Hither the tribes go up. The Broadduses
to this day overrun Caroline County. All the branches
of the family center here and claim kin with Andrew
Broaddus, of Caroline, the famous preacher.

John Albert Broadus comes fifth in line from Edward
Broaddus. The fourth son of Edward was William.
William Broaddus' second son was Thomas. The eldest
son of Thomas was Edmund, the father of John A.
Broadus. Edmund had two brothers, the famous Wil-
liam F., and the equally able Andrew, and two sisters,
Lucy (Mrs. Wm. Ferguson, of Illinois), and Maria (Mrs.
John Strother Wallis, of Virginia).

The Broadduses have been largely engaged in farming.
Some have been physicians, some lawyers, some rail-
road men, and a great number have been teachers.
Teaching ran in the Broaddus blood. The family is Bap-
tist to the core— very few of the name belonging to any
other denomination. They have usually professed re-
ligion in early life and are distinguished for piety and ac
tivity in all forms of church work. It is a family ot

4 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

preachers also. More than a dozen ministers have borne
the name, besides others who have Broaddus lineage,
such as Rev. W. A. Gaines and D. M. Ramsey, D. D.,
of South Carolina.1 Dr. H. H. Harris says: "No other
family has given to our ministry so many able men."
For over a hundred years the Broadduses have been,
active in Baptist affairs, especially in the South and"
West.

Hon. R. W. Thompson, a member of Pres. Hayes'
cabinet, and long prominent in Indiana and national poli-
tics, was of this sturdy stock, illustrating the turn for
statesmanship shown in Major Edmund Broadus, the
father of Dr. John A. Broadus. Robert J. Burdette, the
humorist, is likewise of Broaddus descent, and finds a
parallel in the eccentric humor of Dr. W. F. Broaddus,
the quaint wit of his brother Andrew, and in the quiet
fun of Dr. John A. Broadus.

Dr. Broadus became much interested in heredity. He
once chose this as his theme to discuss before the Con-
versation Club, of Louisville. He often alluded to the
subject in sermon, lecture, and table talk. He some-
times said that heredity was an immense and a tremen-
dous reality. It is interesting to see something of the
family history of the greatest man who ever bore the
Broaddus name. He was not an accident. He came of
preaching and teaching stock.

The first minister of the name to become distinguished
was Andrew Broaddus, D. D., who was born November
4, 1770, and died December i, 1848. Dr. J. B. Jeter
prepared an excellent "Memoir of Andrew Broaddus.1'
He was born and reared in Caroline County and spent
most of his life here and in King and Queen, For six
months, in 1821, he was assistant pastor to Dr. John
Courtney, of the First Baptist Church, Richmond. He

*Pr«$. A. P. Montague, of Broaddus lineage* is president of Kuraun Univ«rtUy*

THE BROADDUS FAMILY 5

was retiring and shrinking before strangers. Although
he received many calls to large cities, such as Boston,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, New York, Richmond,
he preferred country pastorates. He had little schooling
in his youth, but he possessed a passion for learning,
and made a good English scholar of himself, and ac-
quired some knowledge of Latin, Greek, and French.
He had real genius and was a great preacher, with the
peculiar fascination afterward seen in John A. Broadus,
who says of him :

In my boyhood it was a great delight to make a long journey on
horseback to one and another ** Association," which it was reported
that this venerable man would attend ; and no little pride was felt
in being even remotely akm to one so famous and so gifted.1

There exists a large number of outlines of sermons of
Dr. Andrew Broaddus. These outlines are sketched on
one side of a slip of paper the size of your hand. They
are mere skeletons, but that was enough for this trained
speaker. These sermon outlines are far superior to those
sometimes published for the use of indolent preachers.
They evince grasp and insight and power. Dr. Broaddus
had learned how to think. He did not walk on crutches.
The following story will illustrate the charm of his
preaching :

Were we required to describe the power of his oratory by a single
term, that term should be fascination. There was in his happy
efforts a most captivating charm. An incident may best illustrate
this remark : . . While in the zenith of his power and popularity he
attended a session of the Baptist General Association held in the

town of L . Monday moining he preached in the Methodist

church to a crowded audience. Mr. D , a lawyer of distinction,

on his way to the court-house, where the court was in session,
stopped in the street beneath the fierce rays of a summer sun to
listen for a moment to the sermon. Business urged his departure,
but having heard the commencement of a paragraph, he was in-
i Introduction to " History of the Broaddus Family," p, xi.,/.

6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

tensely anxious to hear its close. Intending every moment to break
away he became more and more chained to the spot. Presently he
heard his name called by the sheriff at the court-house door, and he
soon heard the call repeated ; but it was to no purpose— he was
riveted to the spot. Neither the fatigue of standing, the melting
rays of the sun, the urgency of business, nor the repeated calls of
the officer of the court could disenchant him. He heard the whole
of the sermon, and paid unwittingly the highest compliment to the
eloquence of the preacher.1

Henry Clay called him "the past-master of eloquence/'
Dr. Broaddus was a prolific writer and was a strong an-
tagonist of the views of Alexander Campbell. He is the
most distinguished man of his name save John A. Broadus.
He has had many namesakes who, to the uninitiated, form
a labyrinth of Andrew Broadduses. His son, Andrew,
Jr., the venerable and esteemed Dr. Broaddus, of Sparta,
Va., is well known to readers of " The Religious Herald."
Dr. Jno. A. Broadus says of him :

He never discusses any subject without leaving his hearers with
clearer views in regard to it. In the pulpit his style is uniformly
solemn and reverential, often with a wealth of tender feeling. On
the platform he is sometimes highly humorous, and his speeches re-
veal the keenest wit, as also appears in his delightful conversation.
His illustrations are drawn without apparent eftort from the whole
range of literature and history as well as from the various occupa-
tions of men, and from the sciences, the mechanical arts, and the
great book of nature. In the exposition of Scnptuie he is singularly
clear and attractive. A beloved and successful pastor, an orade
among all the people of two counties, and respected throughout the
State, Dr. Broaddus has lived a noble and honored life, which in
tangible usefulness has probably even surpassed that of his distin-
guished father.8

Andrew, Jr.'s son Andrew is now pastor of Salem Church,
where his father and grandfather preached before him,

1 " History of the Broaddus Family/' pp. 83-85.

a "History of the Broaddus Family," p xv» His recent death gtv*s added inter-
est to this sympathetic description.

THE BROADDUS FAMILY 7

"Andrew of Luray," a noble business man, is now dead.
"Kentucky Andrew" was the able brother of Edmund
and Wm. F, Broaddus. " Andrew of Louisville" is an
esteemed Baptist layman and prominent railroad official.
These have all borne the name worthily.

Thomas, the grandson of the original settler, Edward
Broaddus, had three sons, each of whom became a man
of mark, Edmund, Wm. P., and Andrew. Dr. Wm. F.
Broaddus was a minister of great power. He left a deep
impress on religious life in Virginia and Kentucky. Like
most of the Baptist ministers of his time, he had limited
opportunities for education, yet he added great industry
to his unusual gifts. He was the warm friend of min-
isterial education and for some time acted as agent for
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He began
preaching in Culpeper at the age of twenty in the early
part of the century. He wrote an autobiography cover-
ing seven large manuscript volumes, but this was un-
fortunately burned with his house at Shelbyville, Ky,
Once more he recorded his recollections, which were
again destroyed in Fredericksburg when the town was
captured by the Federal troops in 1862. In his closing
years he again prepared brief reminiscences which have
been preserved,

Virginia Baptists and the whole South owe Dr. Wm. F.
Broaddus a debt for his bold advocacy of the mission en-
terprise against the " Hardshell " or " Black Rock " ele-
ment of the denomination, which was very strong in all
Piedmont Virginia, the Valley and the Mountains.

They were violently opposed to missions, Sunday-schools, and all
religious associations and enterprises that seek the conversion of
men and the promotion of the cause of Christ. Some of them were
antinomians and all of them were predestinarians of such a pro-
nounced type that they regarded it as presumption in a preacher to
appeal to sinners to repent, and folly in sinners to seek repentance

8 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

till impelled to it against their will by a supernatural and resistless
divine impulse. Their ministers were uneducated, but some of
them were men of vigorous intellect, and they denounced with great
fervor, at great length, and in violent, and sometimes abusive lan-
guage, the " New Lights," as they called those who dared to urge
men by exhorting them to repent, "to take the work of God into
their own hands." Among these people Wm. F. Broaddus appeared
and excited no little commotion. Young, ardent, of pleasing man-
ners and fine personal appearance, with a bright intellect and at-
tractive speaking gifts, he soon won the attention and admiration of
the people, while at the same time he drew upon himself the
fiercest assaults of the " Hardshell " preachers. But he was equal
to the occasion. His imperturbable good humor, his keen wit, his
facility of speech, his insight into human nature, and his adroit
management gave him the advantage in every contest, and con-
stantly strengthened his influence. He was a tireless laborer. Riding
on horseback over the rough mountains, living on the coarse fare
and sleeping in the rude huts of the mountaineers, he was, day in
and day out, employed in preaching in groves, in log cabins, in
private houses — anywhere and everywhere that a congregation
could be gathered. Making the tail of a wagon, a stump, or a rock
his pulpit, he poured out the truth from a burning heart and carried
the people with him. Soon a reaction commenced and it has gone
on till all that region, once dead through Black Rockism, is now
alive with active, earnest, progressive Baptists.1

He introduced the custom of paying salaries in his part
of the country. A story is told of a call he received with
the promise that he should have whatever the church
felt like giving. Being present, he promptly accepted
the call, saying that he would preach for them on what-
ever Sundays he felt like it. It is needless to say that
they offered him a regular salary. Dr. Broaddus was a
man of many eccentricities, especially in his well-known
aversion to cats. He would become pale and ashen and
positively ill if a cat were in the room. Many ludicrous
stories are told of this peculiarity. He was fond of tell-
ing stories and enjoyed one on himself even more than

1 " History of the Broaddus Family/' pp. 160-162. It Is but just to *»ay that not all
the " Hardshells " were as extreme m those davs as this picture would Imply.

THE BROADDUS FAMILY 9

on others. During the war when a prisoner he had
much fun at the officer's expense by insisting that he
did not know what F in his name stood for* He had two
Fs in his name, Wm. Francis Ferguson Broaddus ; one
was dropped out and he did not know which. He exas-
perated the officer further by remarking that he did not
know in which county he was born. He finally explained
that Rappahannock had since been formed out of that
part of Culpeper. Dr. J. C. Hiden has many stories on
Wm. F. Broaddus. He is fond of telling about a contro-
versy between Wm. F. and John A. Broadus over a pas-
sage of Scripture. Wm. F. got the worst of it at the
hands of the brilliant young scholar. Finally he said :
"Well, John A., there is no use to say anything more
about it. I have one of my best sermons on it."

Rev. Andrew Broaddus (Kentucky Andrew), a younger
brother of Wm. F., began his ministry in Virginia, went
to Missouri, then to Kentucky, and finally back to Vir-
ginia. He began preaching rather late in life and did not
at first possess the charm of his renowned brother. One
day his wife, who strongly opposed going to Missouri,
was walking home with him from church after hearing
him preach. She said demurely : "Mr. Broaddus, are you
firmly resolved to keep on preaching ? " "Yes, my dear,"
he answered. "Well/' she said, "then I am perfectly
willing to go to Missouri." But the good wife and hosts
of others came to be proud of him as a preacher. He in
time grew to be more polished in certain ways than Wm.
F,, and had much of the subtle penetration so prominent
in John A. Broadus.

It would be pleasant to have something to say about
the other noble preachers of the Broaddus name, such
as the lamented Luther Broaddus, Julian Broaddus,
M. E. Broaddus, and others. "But the time would fail
to tell/1

10 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

There is a curious note in a letter of Wm. F. to his

brother Edmund :

Then let's hope that some one in our family is destined to be a
prodigy, and as our day is nearly passed, take it for granted that
the next generation will be favored with his appearance.

The looked-for prodigy was Edmund's son, then fifteen
years old, already the pride of Albert Simms' school in
Culpeper, of whom it would one day be said by a great
historian that he was "perhaps the greatest man the
Baptists have produced."1

1 Prof. A. H Newman, In " Progress," Vol. III., No. xo, Chicago, 111.

CHAPTER n
MAJOR EDMUND BROADUS

The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill.

— Wordsworth.

VIRGINIA was in the full tide of power and glory in
the thirties. She was dominant m national politics,
and her civilization was setting the standard for all the
South. A noble class of settlers had early come to Vir-
ginia that was to exert a commanding influence on the
whole future of the republic. For even now, if states-
men flourish farther west, many of them come of Vir-
ginia ancestry. Pride of prestige ran in the Virginia
blood when we touch it in our narrative.

The people of the Piedmont section were not then so
rich and prosperous as those of the Tidewater and South-
side regions. It was a new country still. In 1800, Pied-
mont Virginia was the Middle West on the way to the
great Kentucky forests. Twenty-five years had brought
a great change all along the foot of the Blue Ridge, but
the comforts and luxuries of the eastern counties had
not come generally to the great hill country of Virginia.
However, the gentlemen of Culpeper took as lively an
interest in State and national affairs as did the citizens
of the more ancient seats on the Eastern Shore, The
road to distinction and power lay through politics, and
not so much as now through business, the press, or schol-
arship, Virginia life before the Civil War had a raciness
and richness not to be repeated in American experience.

Culpeper was once a very large county and has had

12 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Rappahannock taken from it. Much of it lies in sight of
the Blue Ridge, which affords a never-wearying pano-
rama of beauty. A spur of this range, Mount Poney, rises
not far from the county seat. The land is not notably
rich, but the county has had a noble history. It was
one of the chief battlefields of the Civil War. It was
also one of the battlegrounds of Baptist principles in
Virginia. A number of Baptist preachers were impris-
oned in the Culpeper jail for preaching the gospel. The
Baptist church now stands where once James Ireland,
Elijah Craig, Nathaniel Saunders, Banks, Maxwell, Du-
laney, and others, stood behind prison bars for the crime
of proclaiming Jesus Christ.1 Within the Shiloh Asso-
ciation lived also John Leland, a mighty preacher and
champion of religious liberty. Out of Culpeper was
driven Samuel Harris for preaching. Culpeper is sacred
soil for all lovers of religious freedom, and has become a
nursery for Baptist preachers.2

For a number of years the leading figure in politics
and religious affairs in Culpeper was Major Edmund
Broadus.8 His career forms one of the most honorable in
Virginia history. He was born May 5, 1793, on the edge
of the Blue Ridge, in that part of Culpeper now known
as Rappahannock. His early years were spent chiefly
in farm-work, but he received a good English education,
partly at a boarding school. At eighteen he taught
school in the home of Edward Sims (Simms), a prosper-
ous farmer along the spurs of the Blue Ridge. His father
having died, he gave all that he made by teaching (one
hundred and fifty dollars) to his widowed mother to meet
some debts left for her to discharge. But during that
same year he had taught the farmer's daughter, Miss

1 Beale's new edition of " Semple's History of Va. Baptists— Pitt and Dickinson."

* See " Historical Sketch of the Shiloh Baptist Association/* by Rev. E W, Win-
frey, Culpeper Va., 1894

* Named after Judge Edmund Pendleton, a half-brother of hfc grandmother.

MAJOR EDMUND BROADUS 13

Nancy Simms, to love him. Her father said : " Teach
on and live with me." So they were married in 1812.
His school would not be out till December 15, and they
had to live without money. When her father's harvest
came, the young husband went out into the field and cut
wheat with a reap hook at a dollar a day and gave his
earnings to his bride. He thus spent several years teach-
ing1 and keeping a mill belonging to his mother. He
built his bride a log house without nails or glass, for it
was war time. After some years he removed to the
neighborhood of Culpeper Court-House and accumulated
a moderate estate as a farmer.

In 1826 Major Broadus (major of the Culpeper militia)
began to take an interest in politics, and spent twenty
years in the legislature, save two years of voluntary retire-
ment, without ever being beaten in an election after his
first candidacy. He was the only man who could handle
the Democrats in Culpeper, the Whigs and Democrats
being about equally divided in the county. He had such
competitors as Captain A. P. Hill and the Hon. John S.
Harbour. Mr. Barbour was the ablest opponent Major
Broadus ever had. Upon one occasion Mr. Barbour had
made a very brilliant speech, which rendered Major
Broadus's adherents uneasy ; but the Major completely
vanquished him by reading extracts from a still more
striking speech he had made on the other side years
before. The Major's singularly penetrating voice, which
his son inherited, gave additional force to his reply. John
A. Broadus says of his father : *

He came to be regarded as a leader of the Whig party in the
House, exerting influence not by oratory— though he was a clear
and forcible speaker and hard to answer in argument— but by thor-

1 " Nearly every male descendant of Thomas Broadus and of his brother James
has spent a part of his life as a teacher."—" History of the Broaddus Family," p. 126.
* In MS. notes, the source of much material for this chapter.

14 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

ough acquaintance with the subjects of legislation, whether political
or practical, by sound judgment, irreproachable integrity, and some
personal magnetism.

Judge Bell, of Culpeper, in a memorial address after
Doctor Broadus's death, spoke as follows :

Major Broadus was then one of the most adroit electioneerers in
Virginia. The secret of his success was his calm, quiet, easy, and
courteous demeanor to the people and to his competitors. There was
no money used in elections ; no purchasing or bribing voters ; gen-
teel and courteous demeanor prevailed over the bully and the brag-
gart. Time and place were set for the people to meet and listen to
dispassionate discussion of great questions of government and State
policy. And tradition says that ail that any election ever cost Major
Broadus was a few old Virginia clay pipes and smoking tobacco.

He was a great temperance advocate and active in the
Sons of Temperance Society and would not use whisky.
He rode a horse, named Prince, that had learned his mas-
ter's habits. When he met a man in the road the horse
would go light up to him and stop.

Political excitement often ran high in the campaign.
Major Broadus's house being on the road when he was
opposed by Captain Hill, people would sometimes shout,
as they passed by, " Hurrah for Hill and down with
Broadus." The story is told that little John A. would
run out and answer lustily, " Hurrah for Broadus and
down with Hill." Major Broadus was an ardent Henry
Clay man and his son never got over his worship of
Clay. Dr. J. C. Hiden says of him : l

The great champions of Democracy in that region were Governor
William Smith— " Extra Billy," he'was familiarly called— one of
the adroitest politicians and stump speakers that Virginia ever pro-
duced, and old John S. Barbour, one of the most splendid orators in
Congress. Major Broadus was not a professional man, and nobody
ever thought of him as an orator, and yet the two famous Demo-
cratic speakers found it hard to hold their own against his plain,

1 " Religious Herald," March a8, 189$.

MAJOR EDMUND BROADUS 15

pointed, popular " talks" to the country people, who assembled on
court day " to hear the candidates."

When he declined to treat, his friends said he would be
defeated, but they were mistaken. He was one of the
real leaders of the time. He was a statesman and
patriot, the friend of every good cause, and rendered
great service to the University of Virginia by his stand
for it in the legislature.

He quit the support of President Jackson upon the famous " re-
moval of the deposits " and was always afterwards a Henry Clay
Whig It has frequently been declared by former associates in the
legislature that he was, for some years, leader of the Whig party in
the House of Delegates. At one time a caucus of the party, when
in the majority, offered to elect him governor, but he declined on the
ground that the governor's expenses beyond the salary would con-
sume all his property.1

Major Broadus's picture shows a man in whose thin face
there is intellectual force, and the masterful look of re-
pose. Though he had dyspepsia all his life, like his son
John, yet he was uniformly cheerful. He was a man of
courtly manners and was the center of attraction in so-
cial circles. He became early in life a church-member
and through a long life showed how it was possible to be
a politician and a consistent Christian. He was the
most influential man in the Shiloh Baptist Association.
He thought his famous preacher brothers, William F. and
Andrew, and his pastor, Rev. Barnett Grimsley, were too
far ahead of the people in their zeal for missions. He
wanted the people to get ready for the movement. But
some of the people never have gotten ready. It is true
that the earnestness of Dr. Wm. F, Broaddus led to a
schism on the mission question, but the " Hardshell "
wing has dwindled away with the years. Major Broadus,
however, was a firm advocate of missions, temperance,

* " History of the Broaddus Family," p. 137.

l6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

and ministerial education. His house was the preach-
ers' home for many years, and this gave him frequent
opportunity to counsel young ministers.

He was often asked to settle disputes between neigh-
bors, and came to be the peacemaker of the community.
He was persuaded to take charge for a while of the
county poor farm, his prominence and character guaran-:
teeing unusual attention to the management. Major
Broadus remained in charge five years and then moved
to Bleak Hill, about four miles from town, afterward the
home of Albert G. Simms, the famous teacher. Bleak
Hill is now burned down.

In 1837 Major Broadus moved to Edge Hill, a farm of
some three hundred acres with a profitable mill. This
estate, six miles from Culpeper Court-House, he pur-
chased and now had a settled home of much comfort for
his family. The Blue Ridge was only fifteen miles away.
There was the large white house upon the hill and a
glorious spring in the clump of trees at the foot of the
hill by the roadside ; the orchard and the rolling fields
stretched back of the house. This was the home that
made its impress upon John A. Broadus.1

New Salem Church is only a mile and a half from
Edge Hill and Major Broadus became the leading spirit
in this church. This part of Culpeper, known as ''the
Pines/' not very rich, is surrounded by pine lands*

The first two years at Edge Hill Major Broadus stayed
out of the legislature and taught an "old field school."
He had two objects in view. One was to give a good
chance for his daughter Caroline and his youngest son
John ; the other object was to help pay for the farm*
In 1835 Major Broadus had sunk money, like so many

1 On a recent visit to Edge Hill (now known as Cana's Mills), Mrs. Cana, a quaint
old lady, said to me : " The Broaduses are mighty good people. If all this country
were Broaduses, It would have been better than it is."

MAJOR EDMUND BROADUS 17

others, in a gold mine in Culpeper. He also lost much
from security debts. He could easily have recovered him-
self by his farm, so that his brother, Wm. F., expressed
great surprise when in 1846 he took the position of stew-
ard at the University of Virginia to board State students.
Yet the chief reason that led him to do this was to give
John the advantage of a university course.

Major Broadus's wife died June 22, 1847. In 1849 he
married Miss Somerville Ward. His second wife, after his
death, lived chiefly with John A. Broadus, who delighted
to speak of her as one of the excellent of the earth. She
died at his home in Greenville, S. C., May 27, 1877.

Major Broadus lived to see John complete his work at
the University, but died June 27, 1850, a few days be-
fore he was to receive his degree. His efforts to educate
his boy were rewarded and he left a double portion of
his spirit on this son "of parents passed into the skies."1

Of the mother in this cheerful home we have less in-
formation. She was, as we have seen, Miss Nancy
Simms, daughter of Edward Simms. She was born Sep-
tember 20, 1790, and was a woman of many excellent qual-
ities. She was of medium height and rather plump — the
Simms are generally small — and John A. Broadus resem-
bled his mother in stature as in many other things. She
was very gentle and quiet in manner, but firm in her con-
trol over her household. There was a briskness and
energy about her that was contagious. The major was
often absent on political tours, so that the farm largely
fell to her care. She exhibited such industry, tact, and
firmness that she merited the wise man's words about
the virtuous woman. Everything moved like clockwork.
She required perfect obedience from the children and re-
ceived it, but there was never a word of harshness. Miss

* Inscription on tombstone of Major Broadus at University of Virginia. See Cow-
pet's lines " On Receipt of My Mother's Picture,"

B

1 8 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Mary Wallis, for a time a member of the family, says :
" It never occurred to any of us children not to mind just
what Aunt Nancy told us ; and yet she never scolded or
spoke impatiently with any one." This peaceful, well-
balanced home seems to have given John A. Broadus the
greatest dislike to anything like disputing in a family.

She taught her children habits of neatness and order.
In after life J. A. B. would often rise from his study and
meditatively sweep up the stray bits of coal, while re-
volving some phrase for letter or discourse, saying: "My
mother said that the fire would not burn were the hearth
not swept." She had many sayings that he loved to
quote. Another one was : " Put tire upon tire, and you'll
get rested, " She was very tender, and from her John A.
Broadus got his wonderful pathos. In the long winter
evenings she taught her children to love the best books.
From her also they obtained their love of flowers and
music. There was a deep and tender piety about her,
although she did not make public profession of faith in
Christ till after all her children were church-members.
When her daughter Martha was baptized, as they came
from the service Mrs. Broadus remarked: "Well, my
children are all going into the church, and I am left
alone." Little John offered comfort to his mother by
saying: "Mother, I won't join the church. I'll stay
with you." Finally she was roused to public profession
by Wm, F. Broaddus. She was so anxious to be bap-
tized at once that he sent John off forty miles on horse-
back to pay an urgent obligation for him, while he re-
mained and baptized Mrs. Broadus in the millpond at
home. John was a singular combination of the best
things in his parents.

Four children were born to Major Broadus by his first
wife: James Madison, Martha A., Caroline ML, and John
Albert. John was much the youngest, and he looked up

MAJOR EDMUND BROADUS ig

to his brother and sisters, who exerted a noble influence
over him. The closest relations existed between the two
brothers. James Madison Broadus, was born November
30, 1812. His early life, like his father's, was spent in
farming and teaching school. In 1832 he wrote to his
father :

I write to you that Mr. A would gladly receive Genl. T 's

confession.1 . . Your hands are at work on Tutfs schoolhouse. . .
I shall move to Capt. Games' m a few days and shall commence
my school next Monday week, Jan. 16.

In middle life he became connected with the Virginia
Midland Railroad, and was general ticket agent of the
road for twenty years. His home at Alexandria, Va.,
was a center of interest for a large circle of attached
friends. He was the pillar of the Baptist church there
and felt the keenest interest in Baptist affairs generally.
He was an exceedingly noble and useful man, possessing
great wisdom and readiness of mind. John leaned upon
him at every turn and loved him with rare devotion. He
was John's constant adviser till his death, as the many
letters that passed between them show. From being
taught in childhood to imitate a servant he early acquired
the habit of stammering, which prevented his rising to
the eminence he might have gained. He died July 21,
1880, at Alexandria.8 He was twice married, first to Miss
Ellen Barbour Gaines, and afterward to Miss Mary Cath-
arine Lewis, who still survives him. He left a large
family, four of whom are living.

The eldest daughter, Martha A, Broadus, was born July
24, 1814. She taught John a great deal at home. He
often said that he owed more to her than to almost any
other influence. He once recalled tenderly his sister's
influence over him in talking to a familiar friend, whom

1 Instance of Major Broadus' s work as a peacemaker between neighbors.
* See " History of Broaddus Family" for sketch of his excellent family.

20 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

he wished to incite to special influence over her younger
sister. He always advised young men to listen to their
sisters, particularly about manners and dress. His sister
Martha, when he was seventeen, wrote to Miss Mary
Wallis: "I think your little cousin John will be the
brightest star of the Broadus family/' Martha was quite
pretty, with brilliant complexion and bright brown eyes.
She married Mr. Edmund Bickers, an estimable and well-
to-do farmer in Culpeper. She died June 6, 1874.

Caroline M. Broadus was born in 1822, and died August
25, 1852. She married Rev. W. A. Whitescarver, one of
the most intimate friends of Doctor Broadus's life. He
often said that Mr. Whitescarver was the most spiritually
minded man he ever knew.

Thus we have caught brief glimpses of the family group
at Bleak Hill and afterward at Edge Hill. For some years
Major Broadus's mother was an honored member of the
household. It was a simple, wholesome, genuine life.
They were not affluent, nor were they poor, but belonged
to that robust and progressive farmer class that has done
so much for American life.

CHAPTER III

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS
It is a wise father that knows his own child.

— Shakespeare.

The proper study of mankind is— children.

- -J A. B.

JOHN ALBERT BROADUS was born January 24,
1827, in Culpeper County, Virginia, about three
miles from the county seat. He was thus a few days
younger than his future friend, James P. Boyce, who
was born January 11. He was named after two brothers
of his mother. John Simms, who was a doctor, insisted
that they must take his advice and must not let the child
be rocked. Albert was the school teacher, who exercised
a great influence over his nephew.

It was a genuine boy who played upon the hills of
Culpeper.1 He had the good fortune to be reared in
the country, where, as he afterwards said, everybody
ought to be born. He seems to have been a shy child
who did not enter into all boyish games. He liked mar-
bles, but not ball. He was particularly fond of running,
and had the reputation of being the swiftest runner in
the county. Two little colored boys, as was true of so
many Southern children, were his playmates. Henry

1 Dr. Broadus left brief MS recollections of his childhood. He used to make his
class In Homiletlcs write a paper on the " Recollections of Childhood " He once
chose this topic for the Conversation Club, Louisville, Ky, Introducing the topic, he
spoke of the interest taken In the childhood of great men, since " the child is father
of the man." He spoke also of the difficulty in getting the proper visual angle, the
value of recalling in order to self-knowledge and In order to understand children.
He remarked also that we are apt to overrate the joys of childhood, and underrate Its
sorrows.

21

22 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

was black and George was brown, and young Broadus
early came to observe that the brown Negro boy was
much more intelligent than the black one. John and
Henry made up a secret language, as children often do.
He would teach the words to Henry, but as neither could
write, they would forget their vocabulary by the next
day. Henry was older than John and once chased him
till he was about to give out John jumped into a brier
patch with his bare feet, knowing that Henry would not
have the courage to follow him. He was led to swear
once by his colored playmates, but his sister Martha
promptly checked it for good and all.

" Uncle Griffin," the husband of " Aunt Suky," was
the oracle of the place and on Sunday afternoons would
take the little boy on his knee, just like Uncle Remus,
and tell him the matchless stories of Bre'r Rabbit and
Bre'r Wolf almost word for word as Joel Chandler
Harris afterwards printed them. When the first Uncle
Remus book appeared, Dr. Broadus was in New York
in the office of the publishers, who sent up for the first
copy from the press, which he eagerly purchased. He
took it and read it to his children with an almost trem-
bling anxiety to see if they would enjoy the stories as
he had done when a child. He felt an intense satisfac-
tion in seeing that they did. One Sunday afternoon the
little boy said to Uncle Griffin, as usual : " Uncle Grif-
fin, please tell me about Bre'r Rabbit and the Tar Baby."
With a pang he heard Uncle Griffin say : *' Go 'way,
chile; ain't nuvver gwine tell yer 'bout dat no mo'. You
gittin' too big." The darkies never told any of their
folk stories in the presence of grown white people.
They possibly dreaded lest the half-concealed allegorical
meaning might be understood — the triumph of a weaker
race by cunning over one naturally stronger and more
intelligent.

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 23

Major Broadus took a great deal of pains to keep in
sympathy with his boy and to cultivate his acquaintance.
John would come and sit by his father when he came
home and listen as he talked about all sorts of things.
When he read books during the day, he told at night
what he had read and asked questions suggested by the
books. He was encouraged to ask questions freely and
to tell of his own doings, and his father would explain
political matters to him. His cousin, Mary Wallis, says :
"He and Uncle Edmund sat and talked like two men."
He loved to ride with his father over the farm and hear
his explanation of the farm-work. He remembered in
after life the joy of going to mill behind his father on Old
Prince, when his little legs could barely stretch across
the horse's back. In the first volume of " Kind Words " 1
he describes Old Prince for the children, as his own
children used to love to hear him tell :

He was a bright, bay horse, and I think he had a star on his fore-
head. He was a natural pacer, and could swing along so smoothly
and so fast that it was delightful to ride him ; but he had got to be very
lazy, and hardly minded a switch at all. When I was about six or
eight years old, father used to take me up behind him to ride out on the
plantation or about the neighborhood. When we started, Old Prince
would poke along just as slowly as he could. Father would kick
him, first with one foot and then with the other, and say, " Go along,
sir" ; and I too, with my short legs pretty wide apart, and my little
bare feet, reaching about half way down his side, would kick my
best, with both feet at once, saying, " Get up, you lazy old thing, go
'long." The fact is, laziness is a hateful thing, in horse or man or
boy, and whatever faults I may have, I don't intend to be lazy.
After a while, we would come to the woods, and father would have
the hardest work, jerking the bridle and kicking and scolding at
him, to get the old fellow up to a bush, so as to get a switch. He
knew too well what was coming. And then he would begin to bite
the leaves of the bush, or the grass around its roots, and when the
switch was cut, he would go along more slowly than ever, while

i March, 1866.

24 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

father trimmed it. When the last twig was cut off, and father
crooked his elbow to put the knife in his pocket, Old Prince would
jump and sail away, so as almost to throw me off. How smart he
was!

So pleasantly father used to talk as we rode along together. Dear
father, he was so wise and so kind ; he would tell me stories, and
explain things about the plantation, and often tell me how a boy
ought to do, about one thing or another. I remember that one day
I pulled down a neighbor's fence, so we could ride across the field,
and, in putting it up, I left the top rail lying down, because it was
heavy ; and father said, "No, no, my boy, put it up ; whenever
you pass through a gate, or draw-bars, or a fence, always leave it
at least as good as you found it." To this day 1 think of that, when
passing through anything of that sort, and I am sure it is a very
good rule. About all sorts of things, children, whether great things
or small, try to do just like father and mother tell you, and you'll
be glad of it when they have long been dead and you are growing
old.

When old Prince died, some twenty-five years old, all the family
felt as if they had lost a friend. He was a noble old creature, if he
was lazy. Father made them bury the body off in the pines, and
sister wrote a letter to me, away off where I was playing young
schoolmaster, to tell me that Prince was dead. We ought to love
the brutes that belong to us, and to be kind to them. Whip the
horse, if he won't go along, but don't beat him when he is doing his
best Feed all the poor brutes well and regularly, and never be cruel
to them. A merciful man is merciful to his beast.

Long after Old Prince was dead, and the year father died also, I
thought I saw them both. I was riding one evening at dusk, and
two hundred yards off, just coming out of the woods to meet me, was
father riding Old Prince. He came swinging along In the old way,
and father, the same tall, stooping man, had on his long, dark over-
coat, and the red bandanna handkei chief over his head and tied
under his chin, with a high-crowned hat put on over it, just as he
always did in cold weather. Here he came. I remembered that
twice since my father died I had dreamed that he came to life, and
now here he was riding on Old Prince. I confess that I was troubled,
and thought about turning back, or striking into the woods; but I
knew that would be foolish and wrong, and rode on. At length I
met and passed some strangei, who did wear the long coat, hand-
kerchief, etc., and who rode a natural pacer— but it was not father
by any means. It is very foolish to believe in ghosts. If I had

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 2J

turned and fled, mine would have been almost as good a ghost story
as many, and yet it was all a mistake.

I shall never see old Prince any more, but I shall see father. He
will rise again, and in the judgment of the great day he will be on
the right hand of the Judge, beholding that Saviour whom from
early life he loved and served. Oh, that I may be there too.

He had many memories of his early years. The
country was full of peddlers. One of them said one
day, as a sort of joke, that he would bring him a red ban-
danna handkerchief when he came back, meaning, how-
ever, to quit the business and never come back. The
little boy faithfully cherished in secret this promise and
looked for him daily. When months passed by he took
the peddler's perfidy very hard.

One of his earliest recollections was the marriage of
his brother to Miss Ellen Gaines, in 1831, when he was
only four years old. As a child he dearly loved the
Blue Ridge, and all his life was deeply moved by its
beauty. The South had great lack of schools before the
war ; even the old field school was not universal. Tutors
and governesses prevailed in the wealthier families. In-
telligent parents and elder children helped greatly in
many cases. But John A. Broadus had real educational
advantages in his childhood. There were numerous
books and periodicals, and interesting visitors from far
and near, and the family were all keen critics of lan-
guage. He had a remarkably good teacher in the old
field school, Mr. Albert Tutt, and in his teens he had
one of the best high school teachers in the land, Mr.
Albert G. Simrns.

When John was about five years old his home, " Bleak
Hill," was within a mile and a half of Tutt's schoolhouse.
From five to seven John attended this school, walking
back and forth. Often the little fellow would turn down
the big boys in the spelling class. Once when he did so

26 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

the big head boy picked him up with one hand and swung
him up to the head of the class, saying, " There, you lit-
tle rascal." Mr. John H. Apperson, of Culpeper, who
went to school with him, says that " he was as old then
as he ever was." Mr. Gabriel Tutt, brother of the
teacher, was one of the big boys of the school. He
remarked of him : " John was an excellent student,
diligent and thoughtful. He seemed to devour books
and acquired knowledge easily and rapidly. On one
occasion Major Broadus went to Richmond to be absent
a few months. When he came home he brought John
a book which he thought he needed. But the boy had
made such progress in his father's absence that he had
no use for the book. He was far beyond it."

In 1882 while on a visit to Lexington, Missouri, he met
Mr. Gabriel Tutt, then an old man, and asked if he re-
membered having in those school days once tossed him
over his head, catching him again and again, for " I
was throwing stones at sister Carry and would not stop
until made to say I'd quit by my sister's champion."

Mr. Tutt stopped teaching in 1834. For the rest of that
year, all of 1835 and 1836, from near seven to near ten,
John remained at home. His sister Martha taught him,
however, during these years, as there was no other
school in reach, the Court-House being too far away.
Doctor Broadus often said that this sister Martha laid
the foundation of his education, and when needful quelled
his bursts of temper with the right word. During these
three years John did much reading. Among other books
he read half of Shakespeare, Cooper, "Robinson Crusoe,"
"Tales of a Grandfather" (his favorite book), " Gulli-
ver," "Thinks I to Myself" (a quaint book much dis-
cussed in the family), " Parley's History of the United
States " (much impressed by the picture of the Pilgrims),
"Parley's Magazine," and "The Religious Herald"

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 27

(which he read all his life). He was taught to read
aloud. In the evening his father would sit reading his
papers in the corner by the fire, and at regular intervals
of about twenty minutes put on a pine knot so as to
keep up a steady bright light (far better, by the way,
than the lamps and candles of those days). As his
mother and sisters sat and sewed, John would read
aloud to them from the books or papers. In these days
his ambition was to be a Mohawk chief, marry a squaw,
and live and die in paint and feathers. He always re-
membered with pleasure the exciting bump, bump, bump
of the apples down the stairs when he had gone up in
the dark to fetch a waiterful from the garret.

In these years the boy was with his father much, as
he visited the neighbors, went to court, or to muster
(his father being major of the militia). He always re-
membered the fascination of a window in a little log-
house at a turn in the road to town where an old
woman kept gingercake horses and other animals. It
was an event when he could go to Grandmother Simms's
house. At home hospitality was free. Visitors would
come from over the ridge with big wagons and bells on
their horses. The lawyers and politicians felt at home
at Major Broadus's house. So did the preachers, who
would sometimes make little John stand upon the table
and read aloud from the "Religious Herald.'* Major
Broadus at this time was a member of the Mt. Poney
Baptist Church (Culpeper Court-House). No meeting-
house was near by and " Uncle" Griffin Reid some-
times preached in the schoolhouse. He had the sing-
song tone and was fond of telling his experiences.

In 1837, when Major Broadus removed to Edge Hill,
John, now ten years old, entered a school taught by his
father for his benefit. This school was a mile and a
half from Edge Hill. The subscription list is still pre-

28 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

served. Eleven patrons signed for the school and they
furnished forty scholars. John liked geography, history,
arithmetic, and grammar. His geographical knowledge
was thrown into a state of excitement when he learned
that the earth turned around on its axis. He had long
arguments on the subject with Henry, his colored play-
mate, who doubted that piece of information, since, said
Henry, "If dat's so, why don' de water spill out o' de
well ? " In 1838 his brother J. M. assisted his father
in the school. There were several grown men in attend-
ance, but John A. stood at the head of the classes.

He early became a great mimic. Mr. J. H. Apperson
says : " In his boyhood days he would go to hear Barnett
Grimsley or Cumberland George preach a sermon. The
next day he could repeat it so nearly and imitate their
voices so closely that, if he were out of sight, you would
think it was one of them talking." Dr. Lewis, of Cul-
peper, tells that one day he climbed a sycamore tree
and aptly took a text about Zaccheus. J. A. B. him-
self remembered it as the proudest day of his life when
his father had him read a political speech before a large
audience. It was when Major Broadus decided to re-
turn to the legislature in 1839 an<3 John was twelve
years old. It was an exciting campaign. On this oc-
casion he was very hoarse, and so had his little boy
read his speech over till he became familiar with it. He
was put up on the platform and read it to the delight of
all,

On Saturdays he was busy about the farm. He loved
to fish in the big millpond and up the streams. His mother
said that he might bathe, but mustn't swim ; he might
hunt, but mustn't shoot. He always thought this a great
mistake. But he fairly grew up on horseback. One
day his big brother was riding with a young lady. John
was riding along behind. He was terribly afraid of ladies

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 29

himself, and could never say a word to them. When
they stopped to water the horses at the stream John
saw his opportunity for finding out how the thing was
done, so he whipped up his horse and listened eagerly.
His brother remarked to the young lady, " Your horse
seems to be thirsty to-day. " John was much surprised
and disappointed.

One of the pleasantest recollections of Edge Hill to
John A. Broadus was the old spring under the trees.
When he went to Clarke County to teach school his heart
yearned after it as David's did for the well near Bethle-
hem. He wrote some lines about it in his boyish days :

My early home, my early home,

Whene'er I think of thee,
How many thronging memories

Come sadly over me.
I see again the old white house,

Half hidden by the trees ;
I hear the carol of the birds,

The humming of the bees ;
I stand beside the clear old spring,

Where oft I stood of yore,
I watch them boiling, bubbling up,

Those waters, bright and pure.

Once he had fever, and it was the usual custom in
those days to let fever patients have only warm drinks.
He never forgot his intense thirst and how he made up
his mind that if he ever got well he would go to the
spring, lie down on his face, and drink for half an hour.

" Uncle Dick " was the wagoner. He was specially
warned not to burn rails when he camped out. After
he had been off on a two days' trip, Major Broadus
asked him if he had burned any rails. He said, " No,
sir, 'ceptin' pieces." As he went out of the room little
John overheard him say to himself, " I made 'em pieces
and den I burnt 'em." John was not allowed to go to

$0 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Fredericksburg with Uncle Dick. This distant town
was the nearest market, and the trip excited great
interest. Uncle Dick lost Dobbin, the wheel horse, on
one of his trips to Fredericksburg. Coming back home
one day, Dobbin got sick and died. That night they
camped as usual. Next morning Michael, the horse that
had pulled by Dobbin's side, was gone. Uncle Dick went
back to where Dobbin was left and there he found Michael
standing over Dobbin. "You see," said Uncle Dick,
in telling about it, " dey done worked together for such
a long time." Doctor Broadus often told the story of Mi-
chael and Dobbin with great power in public discourse.

In 1839 Major Broadus quit teaching and returned to
the legislature. John was nearly thirteen years old.
His uncle, Albert G. Simms, was teaching a boarding-
school at his old home, Bleak Hill. It was six miles
from Edge Hill, but John would walk home every Friday
evening. Mr. Simms had already won much distinction
as a teacher. He had come to Culpeper from Madison
in 1836 and lived here till 1872. He was a noble type
of the teacher. " As a teacher his name has long been
known throughout the South and West. The pupils
of his high school adorn every department of learning
and every walk of life. Their proficiency, especially
in languages, was matter of note amongst the professors
of the University of Virginia." Mr. Simms was as-
sisted awhile by Mr. Albert Tutt, and by a Scotch
teacher, Dr. Robertson, father of Judge W. J. Robertson,
and a relative of the historian. Mr. Simms made his
students familiar with the vocabulary and facts of the
language, parsing every word, and reading widely and
rapidly. But he did not teach them the philosophy of
the language, so that when Dr. Gessner Harrison, at the
University of Virginia, asked why a certain form was
in the subjunctive, Mr. Broadus was dumfounded. He

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 31

acquired ease in Latin first and the philosophy later.
Doctor Broadus always said that he was better grounded
in Latin than Greek because of the thorough drill he ob-
tained at Simms's school while he was young. He did
not study Greek at this school. He read Caesar, Sallust,
Virgil, Livy, Horace ; Mair's " Latin Syntax " was used.
There were no written exercises of " English into Latin."
Murray's English Grammar was reviewed ; but while the
Latin was on, with this exception, it was Latin day and
night. He then read ahead of the class. Col. C. H.
Wager, of Culpeper, who often read with him, says that
John sometimes proposed, when reading Horace : " Let's
read two hundred and fifty lines." When Col. Wager
entered Washington College he stood at the head of a
class of twenty-six in Latin, but he said he "had not
done so at Simms's school, for John A. Broadus was
there." John was best in Latin and mathematics, but
mathematics was his favorite study always at school.
Col. Wager said he was considered the best student in
school by everybody. Some of the boys called him
"hustler." One day several of the boys called him
over and began subjecting him to various tests in Latin,
such as skill in finding words in the dictionary, parsing
fast, etc. Each time, surprised to find that one or
another could excel him in this particular test, they
looked up and said significantly, " 'Tain't that," and
went on with the next test. John was quite unaware
what they were after. Col. Wager's solution of the
problem was to consider his schoolmate a prodigy.

John was pale and thin in his boyhood, says one of
his schoolmates, with heavy black hair, rather long and
curly behind the ears. He had marvelous eyes, clear
and piercing. He had a quiet laugh and a winning smile.
His manner was demure and vivacious. With the boys
he had a high sense of honor, and was genial and free

32 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

from jealousy. He was fond then, as all his life, of
taking long walks. He was popular with the students.
One of his warm friends was A. P. Hill, afterwards so
distinguished a general in the Confederate army. In
after life they always called each other Powell and John.
John was prominent in the Polemic Debating Society.
He especially enjoyed once getting the best of "Top "
Hill, brother of A, P., a crack debater, and afterwards a
prominent lawyer.

In 1840 John dropped out of school for one year to help
on the farm. Doctor Broadus always felt that this year's
work on the farm was a great blessing to him in pro-
moting bodily health and gaining familiarity with prac-
tical affairs. There was no overseer that winter, and
the boy, not yet fourteen, had charge of the farm, the
sawmill, and everything when Major Broadus was away,
he being busy with politics that year. He had Uncle
Griffin's help in managing things. Cutting with the axe
was Uncle Griffin's pride, and he taught his young master
to cut deeper into a tree in a given time than any other
boy of his age. He learned to split rails, to plow, to
mow, to bind wheat, to rake hay, to pull fodder, and
everything else necessary on the farm. He worked with
the men as well as managed the farm. He won a great
reputation for guessing the yield of the wheat stacks.
He noticed that Uncle Griffin, with the hopefulness of
his race, generally guessed too high, while his fathci
usually guessed too low. He waited till both had spoken
and then split the difference.

Major Broadus had to write pension papers for the
veterans of 1812. The papers had to be absolutely per-
fect, without erasure. Even in his early days John wrote
a good hand and was often set to copy these papers
for his father. One day he lacked five lines of finishing
and got to thinking what he would do when he was

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 33

through. Just then he made a mistake and had labori-
ously to copy the whole paper over. It was a hard
lesson in patient concentration. On the long winter
nights and rainy days he kept up his Latin, reading
largely. He read " Tales of a Grandfather " over again
and also read the second series. Others of his old fav-
orites re-read were "Gulliver," "Robinson Crusoe,"
and " Peter Parley."

He went back to school in 1841, and remained till the
fall of 1843. During the last year he assisted Mr. Simms
in some of the teaching. One day John came home from
school with his trunk. Major Broadus feared he had
been expelled, and asked for an explanation. John
solemnly said: "My uncle says he has no further use
for me." His father could get no more out of him, and
went over to see Mr. Simms, who laughed and said that
John had learned all that he could teach him. There
was always a tender feeling between Mr. Simms and his
brilliant pupil. While in Europe, in 1870, Doctor Broadus
wrote a letter in Latin to his uncle. He was greatly
pleased, and speaking of it to a friend said : " And I an-
swered him in the same tone, sir."

While he was still at school, a protracted meeting was
conducted atMt. Poney Church (Culpeper Court-House),
by Rev. Chas. A. Lewis, of Kentucky, and Rev. Barnett
Grimsley. Mr. Broadus was converted at this revival.
While under conviction and feeling unable to take hold
of the promises, a friend quoted to him : " ' All that the
Father giveth me shall come to me. And him that com-
eth to me I will in no wise cast out/ " repeating, " ' in
no wise cast out.' Can't you take hold of that, John ? "
Somehow the light dawned under this verse of Scripture.
James G. Field, of Gordonsville, Va., writes :

I knew him quite intimately from 1842 to 1847- We were youths of
about the same age, he going to school to his uncle, Albert G. Simms,

C

34 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

and I living in the store of Thomas Hill & Son, at Culpeper. Our
fathers had been opposing candidates for the legislature. In May,
1843, at a protracted meeting, conducted mainly by Elder Charles
Lewis, with the Mt. Poney Church, at Culpeper, we both professed
conversion, joined the church the same day, and were together bap-
tized by Rev. Cumberland George, in Mountain Run, just above
where the bridge crosses the stream. He did not remain in the Mt.
Poney Church very long, but took his letter and joined New Salem,
the church where his father and family had their membership. . .
In our little debating societies and prayer meetings he was always
clear and logical in his statements, and devout in his supplications.

The place of his baptism is just outside the town of Cul-
peper. John was a little over sixteen when he joined the
church.

Rev. Cumberland George, who baptized him, assisted
the pastor, Rev. John Churchill Gordon, once a month,
and was afterwards pastor of the church. He was a man
of fine physique and made a splendid appearance, and
had a voice like a trumpet. He was best on set occa-
sions. He had better advantages, but less native genius,
than Rev. Barnett Grimsley, the pastor at New Salem,
Grimsley was a man of great gifts, self-educated, elo-
quent, and powerful. He had a famous illustration about
climbing the Blue Ridge in the early morning, comparing it
with progressive revelation (twilight, stars, moon, dawn,
sunrise). Doctor Broadus delighted to expand this illus-
tration as he had heard Grimsley do it. He had great
influence on Mr. Broadus, and helped him decide about
preaching. We shall see much of him during the Clarke
County period of his life. He was, all in all, one of the
most notable ministers in Virginia. Doctor Broadus
heard much fine speaking in his early life.

The New Salem Church has sent out several ministers
besides Dr. Bioadus, viz, Rev. J. M. Farrar, Rev. A. H.
Lewis, and Rev. R. H. Stone. They had monthly
preaching. The Shiloh Association has had a noble his-

YOUTH OF JOHN A. BROADUS 35

tory and many able preachers. Some of them preached
very long sermons. Rev. Silas Bruce had this habit.
One day J. A. B. heard him preach an hour when he
announced that he was now ready to take up the first
part of his discourse. Thereupon Rev. H. W. Dodge arose
and stepped in front of the pulpit and said earnestly :
"My dear brother, don't you think this glorious theme
had better be continued at another time ? " Mr.
Bruce collapsed, but resumed that night and preached too
long again.

In a meeting a few months after John's conversion, the
preacher urged all Christians at the close of the service
to move about and talk to the unconverted. John looked
anxiously around to see if there was anybody present
he could talk to about his soul's salvation. He had
never done anything of the kind before. Finally he saw
a man not very bright, named Sandy. He thought he
might venture to speak to him at any rate ; and Sandy
was converted. John soon went away to teach school.
Whenever he came back Sandy would run across the
street to meet him and say: "Howdy, John ? thankee,
John. Howdy, John ? thankee, John." Doctor Broadus
often told of this first effort of his at soul-winning and
would add : " And if ever I reach the heavenly home
and walk the golden streets, I know the first person to
meet me will be Sandy, coming and saying again :
1 Howdy, John ? thankee, John.' "

CHAPTER IV

THE SCHOOLMASTER
And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche.

— Chaucer.

THE question now confronted young Broadus as to
what he should do. He had not decided upon his
life-work and he wished to obtain a higher education.
But not having means he determined upon teaching as
the only feasible method of procuring funds. What an
army of Southern boys have attained a high career from
this beginning ! Rev. Barnett Grimsley was pastor of
Bethel Church, in Clarke County. He seems to have
interested himself in securing a position in that county
for his young friend. Major Broadus was in Richmond,
but felt much concern about this step on the part of his
son :

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 4, 1844-

You desire to know what I think of your engagement in Clarke.
Of course, I cannot decide, not having the slightest acquaintance
with the people you are to be among. I suppose Mr. Gnmsley
advised you to engage, and I have no idea he would have done so
without due deliberation. Your own judgment concurs too, 1 sup-
pose, and I have mentioned it to Mr. Burwell,1 who speaks well or
the man and of the situation. . . I must, of course, yield to all these
and be contented. I apprehend that your mother will feel that you are
going a long way from home— and maybe your father may too; but
we must bear that if you can convert it to your benefit, which J hope
you will be able to do. I cannot now undertake to advise you—!
have tried to do so before. Remember that " religion is the chief
concern," that honor and honesty is the road to preferment, and that
** modesty is a quality that highly adorns youth/1 The anxiety I

* Member of the legislature from CUrke.

THE SCHOOLMASTER 37

feel for your welfare at this moment (one hundred miles from you)
overpowers me — I cannot write.

He sent his watch for John to use in his teaching.
When we next hear about the young teacher, he has
been in Clarke some weeks. He went over the moun-
tains in January and began his school at Rose Hill,
the home of William Sowers. His school was small
and he soon became low-spirited. His sister Martha
writes to him in a comforting strain: "Cheer up and
lay to it with all your energy and you have nothing
to fear. I feel proud in the knowledge of the fact that
you are capable of performing the duties laid upon
you." His sister Carry urges him not to be "too sus-
picious." "Try to act in such a manner as to give
people no just excuse for saying anything rude or un-
kind about you, and then just take it for granted that they
do not, and you will be much happier. See if you do
not." It was the first time that the boy of seventeen had
gone alone among strangers and his naturally shrinking
nature found it hard to become adjusted to the ways of
the world. Many evidences of this modesty crop out dur-
ing the Clarke County period. Enough of it remained
with him always to give an added charm to his charac-
ter. He had been little in the society of ladies save
that of his mother and sisters. He soon discovered that
the fair sex had great charms for him, and made heavy
encroachments upon the time he had set for reviewing his
Latin and French. But it was just as well, for the
lighter side of his nature needed to have play. He felt
a relief from the severe tension of the Simms school.
These years of varied interest and pleasure in Clarke
formed a good preparation for the intense exertions soon
to come in the university. The struggling youth made
mistakes, some of them bitter and sad, but he was ever
striving to do the duty that seemed the highest, even

38 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

when others may have thought he did wrong. The rich-
ness and depth of his future life even now gave some
outcroppings.

The systematic habits taught him by his father were
faithfully kept up. He made minute account of all ex-
penditures and receipts, manifesting a care in financial
matters that became a part of his character. He in turn
encouraged his children to keep accounts from the days
of their smallest pocket money, and was strenuous in
urging scrupulous exactness upon his students. He kept
a list of all his correspondence during this period, and
began the habit of preserving all letters received, a cus-
tom which he carefully maintained all his life.

He did not enjoy teaching at first. It seemed a make-
shift leading to something else. His sisters kept in close
touch with everything and held him to a high resolve
about his work. Often during these years they showed
their tender care by watching over his wardrobe, sending
packages by Mr. Grimsley, and fitting him out when he
came home. In one letter his sister expressed the hope
that the new coat she sends will fit. Once mention is
made of cloth being woven at home for a suit for him.
She wrote that her father was opposed for the legislature
this spring by Mr, J. S. Barbour, but that he was not un-
easy.

EDMUND BROADUS to J. A. B. :

May 7» 1844 : My majority this year is the largest I ever had,
notwithstanding I am against a congressman and member of the
State convention. . . 1 was young once myself and passed the same
ordeal that you are now undergoing. Had this not been so, I should
not know how to enter upon the trial. I had much diffidence and
many defects to overcome, and of course much difficulty to contend
with. First, my education was very limited and 1 was rusty even
in that. I went too, into a school kept the year before by a first-tate
teacher, and the boys were considerably advanced. Of course 1
had to work hard to go ahead of them, so as to teach them. * . I

THE SCHOOLMASTER 39

succeeded tolerably well. Your situation is better. You were in
full practice and ahead of your scholars, with capacities to compass
the duties of the station and having other advantages which I had
not A youth ought not to aim at too much at once. All of us
must rise by degrees, and although a laudable ambition to become
eminent should be indulged, yet we ought not to expect to rise
too rapidly. . . I know you must succeed, because you have the-
elements, but you must plod for it and make yourself. This all:
have to do, or it is never done ; but success at once would be a^
miracle and would destroy every claim to merit, which consists in
overcoming difficulties. But enough of this— your own reflections
have taught you all. I saw Mr. Gnmsley last Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday, He says you are getting on very well, and so say
others I have seen. Let that encourage you to persevere in the dis-
charge of your duties. I should make the exclusion of any pupil a
last resort. Try every way without it. It hurts the feelings of
parents and rarely reclaims a boy.

Young Broadus made a visit home during June, 1844.
Before returning to his work he promised his sisters to
keep a diary for their benefit. This was continued for
two years, and is a most interesting chronicle of his life
in Clarke. Many extracts will be taken from it :

July 12 : My school is still small to-day. I have but ten and feel
very lonesome. Mrs. Sowers made some Tyler pudding yesterday,
according to the directions I brought, and considered it very good.
There is a piece in my bucket now, and I will try it presently. . .
I have tried the pudding and it is excellent. I hope Mrs. Sowers
will make more of it. People may think as they please about it,
I feel somewhat better on Friday evening than on Monday morning,
and now, although fatigued by the labors of the day, I must hasten
to the house and plunge into the mysteries of Sallust and Gil Bias.

Tuesday, July 16: I went to Winchester on Saturday and as-
sisted W. A. W-1 in selecting some Sunday-school books. I did not
obtain the Greek book which Parson Dodge2 directed me to get. It
was not to be had in town. I shall probably see him next week,
and if he does not insist on my getting the book, I think I will let

i Mr. Whitescarver, the young Sunday-school superintendent at BerryviIIe,
* Rev. H, W. Dodg:e, the pastor at BerryviIIe, took a lively interest in Mr.
Broadus and tried to Induce him to study Greek.

40 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

the Greek be. I believe I will learn more by reviewing my Latin
and French than by commencing Greek, when I know I can never
finish it. Nevertheless, if the parson continues to urge it, I shall
make the attempt. . . It will not do to neglect my Latin and French
altogether, and my playtimes are devoted to algebra ; besides at least
one evening in the week must be devoted to the reading of the
papers, for reasons which you understand. . . My new grammar
class will probably commence to-morrow.

On Tuesday, July 23, he records at length a most in-
teresting experience about a boy who created much dis-
turbance while he was out of the room a few minutes.
The boy took correction badly.

There I sat in my chair with my feet upon the stove ; within six
feet of me sat a boy whom I knew to be as stubborn as an ox and
who had just failed to comply with a positive command repeated five
or six times ; and all around were the scholars looking to see what I
would do. What could I do? I didn't want to whip him, and be-
sides I could not conquer him by that. So I just went to him and
taking him by the arm led him to my chair and seated him in it, telling
him to sit still. (You may see I did not know what to do.) He got
up and I set him down again and held him there. He struggled, I
held him ; he cursed me and I talked to him mildly. He threatened
to tell his mother, and I laughed at him. He threatened to " blow
rne up " (send me away, you know), and I told him to " blow on."
After about fifteen minutes, weary of being held, he sat still, and I
let him go.

Wednesday, July 24: 1 am stalled in my algebra,1 and when
playtime comes I will try at my sum awhile, and if I fail I will write
'a letter to somebody. . .

Thursday, July 25 : Would you believe it, I actually perpetrated
a piece of poetry yesterday to " my sister" I

There is a little manuscript book of verses written by
him during this period. One on silent gratitude, one on
Naomi, one to an infant niece, etc.

He took much interest in politics (naturally) and was

1 He had begun it by himself.

THE SCHOOLMASTER 41

an ardent admirer of Clay, the presidential candidate of
the Whigs. Doctor Broadus often in after years re-
proached himself for not having gone to Washington to
hear the great speeches of Clay and Webster in the
senate. In July he made a trip to Loudoun to hear a
political debate, and was much interested in seeing "the
far-famed Loudoun beauties." The debate was between
" Extra Billy " Smith and Mr. Janney.

August i : I was besieged on yesterday evening by Miss Lucy *
to go to the Bear's Den on Saturday instead of going to church. I
refused.

Monday, August 5 : Surely I am the most fickle, inconstant mor-
tal in existence. After refusing so many urgent, pressing invitations
to go to the Bear's Den, and, after becoming fully convinced that I
ought not to go, I went.

On Tuesday, August 6, he is gratified at having a
Latin scholar at last. He put him in Adams' Grammar,
which he had studied at Bleak Hill under Albert G.
Simms. The boy was of the same age as himself. He
had suddenly risen above an old field school teacher and
had become a classical professor. On Wednesday,
August 14, two of his scholars were missing. He
visited the mother of the two girls and had a rather stiff
interview. Some other young school-teachers may ap-
preciate the colloquy: "If I may be allowed to inquire
the reason, ma'am, are you dissatisfied with their prog-
ress ? " " No, sir, not with that ; but I don't think you
keep order enough in the school." "Yes, ma'am."
" I don't believe my girls can learn well where the schol-
ars are constantly laughing and talking, and half of them
doing nothing." " I know very well, ma'am, that I am
not a good teacher; perfectly aware of that." "No,
you are too young ; you have not had experience

1 Dr. Broadus's old students will be interested in seeing that there was a veritable
"Miss Lucy "—not bis Miss Lucy, however.

42 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

enough." "I know, ma'am, that I cannot be a good
teacher without experience, and I cannot get experience
without teaching. " "Well, I know that, but I don't
want anybody to get experience by teaching my chil-
dren." " Certainly, ma'am, that is correct, exactly
correct. Do you intend to take the boys away too ? "
" No, I sha'n't take them away."

He hopes to go home either at the Association or in the
fall, especially if either of his sisters gets married. He
succeeded in going home August 27, for a two weeks'
visit. The diary for August closes with an interesting
parody of "Old Dan Tucker," called "The Ladies'
Song," It is a political ditty in praise of Clay and the
Whigs against Polk and the Locofocos, as the Democrats
were called. It is eight verses long, beginning :

We gained the day four years ago,
For all the ladies help'd, you know.
And now they all enlist again
And go for Clay with might and main.

EDMUND BROADUS to J. A. B. :

August 13: Last Thursday and Friday we had our Whig festi-
val. Southall, Lyons, of Richmond, Janney, etc., were with us and
addressed us Their speeches were all good, Janney's the best, and
surpassed anything I ever heard. Three thousand at least were
present and were highly gratified. . . The Whig spirit is high here,
and we expect to give a large Clay majority.

John was troubled with the question whether he would
be wanted again by his patrons after the year was out.
His father wrote him :

There is no occasion, I suppose, for you to be in a hurry. You
ought to have more than you are getting, but it may not be neces-
sary for you to move to get it. Please your present patrons right well
and they will give more. If not, they will give you such a recom-
mendation as will get you a better situation. I flatter myself you
are doing pretty well and that they will not like to part from you-

THE SCHOOLMASTER 43

His mind had already been turning toward medicine as
a profession. His father had advised him not to go into
politics. He wrote him once :

I have not meant to write a political letter. It must not make you
a politician by trade.

His father was unwilling for John to study law, for
which he was in some respects well adapted, since at
that time in Virginia a lawyer could not keep out of poli-
tics ; and he was not willing for his son to go through a
politician's struggles in leading a sincere Christian life.

WM. MORTON to J. A B. :

August 30 : I expect to commence the study of medicine either this
fall or next. I hope you will not give up the idea of studying it, for
I think it would suit you better than anything else. . . I am glad to
hear that the ladies do not frighten you now. I always told you
that they would not.

He returned to Clarke again September 9 :

Saturday, September 14 : I will undertake to describe Miss Lucy's
quilt. She made twenty-eight stars, twenty-five of them go into the
quilt whole. The remaining three are cut through bias and put on
the ends of the quilt, three halves on each end, to make it out square
on the edge. Then there are ten half stars, made so, where they are
placed, five on each side . . . besides all these there are two small
pieces necessary to fill out two of the corners, the other two being
filled with still smaller pieces of white. . . If my explanation has
only mystified what you understood before, I can't help it.

Wednesday, September 18, he records an amusing ex-
perience. He had concluded to announce French in his
list of classes. One of his patrons had doubts as to his
ability to teach it and asked him to read some French to
him. Although the patron knew no French at all, he
looked gravely at the book as he read, and seemed satis-
fied. His wife, however, came in and was not so easily
pleased. She likewise wished to hear some French read.

44 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Mr. Broadus read some of "Gil Bias/' not transla-
ting. The good lady said that she could not understand
him as well as she did the French priest who was at the
house last winter. The husband then explained that the
priest mixed English and French together as he read, pro-
• nouncing and then translating each phrase, so that she
understood exactly half of what he said.

He is much exercised as to whether he shall stay at
Rose Hill another year. Scholars are few and things are
slow. Capt. D. W. Sowers wants him at Woodley, three
miles from Berryville, where Mr. W. A. Whitescarver
has been teaching. The diary gives evidence of his ac-
tivity in various directions. He begins to enter with spirit
into the social life of the county. He teaches a Bible
class in the Berryville Sunday-school, of which Mr.
Whitescarver is the superintendent. He belongs to the
muster roll of the militia, as his father did in Culpeper.
He attends the geography class in Berryville taught on
the Lancastrian system in eighteen lessons. This method
consisted in singing geographical rhymes with a swing
and dash, and created some furore at the time. The
middle of December closes his engagement at Rose Hill
and he makes a visit to Culpeper.

In the middle of January, 1845, our young schoolmas-
ter begins at Woodley, the home of Captain D. W. Sowers,
living alternately there and with Dr. Lewellyn Kerfoot.1
He is much grieved at the loss of the companionship of
his friend, Whitescarver. He tries hard to please his
new patrons, who had been fond of the previous teach-
ers. He goes regularly to the singing-school at Berry-
ville under Mr. Wells and takes lively interest in it

People thought the do-re~mi system of singing a won*
derful thing. On Thursday, 27th of February, 1845, he
says :

i Father of Dr. F. H Kerfoot.

THE SCHOOLMASTER 45

Last night I commenced my studies after having spent nearly two
weeks in complete idleness, much in the society of the ladies.

On April 6, 1845, he is made superintendent of the
Sunday-school at Berryville. He speaks of himself as a
" very imperfect one too. ' Still, he is " the only chance
and he ought to do the best he can." He makes a short
address to the teachers from Luke 9 : 62, "No man,'
having put his hand to the plough," etc. Finding it
hard to get teachers for the Sunday-school among the
church-members, he persuaded three young ladies, who
were distant relatives of his, and a young man, to take
classes, though they were not Christians. In a few
months they were all converted. One of the ladies,
Miss Laura Reynolds, married his friend, R. B. McCor-
mick, and became the mother of H. P. McCormick, the
missionary. The school at Woodley is prosperous and
he is happy. The people in Clarke at that time were
generally well-to-do.

J. A. B. to EDMUND BROADUS :

WOODLEY SEMINARY, April n, 1845: Your letter of the tf
inst, which I received last evening, was, as you supposed it would
be, unexpected, but I was only so much the more gratified at its re-
ception. The reflection that I have now arrived at an age when it
is necessary that I commence striving to be what I wish to be, a
man possessed of those solid qualities which alone can gain the
esteem of the intelligent and virtuous, has often troubled me. Some-
times, when my thoughts are flowing in that channel, I feel that
nature has given me the ability to be something, and I am deter-
mined that I will strive to rise. Again 1 am discouraged by the
seemingly insurmountable difficulties that are before me. I have
been troubled too, by the fact that I cannot decide what to make of
myself. Irresolute and undecided, then, as I was, your advice was
apropos. I am a schoolmaster now, and 'tis best that I confine to
my present occupation all my ambitions to rise. Here again I am
discouraged, for, strive as I will, the progress of my scholars is not
sufficient to satisfy what I conceive may reasonably be the expec-
tations of their parents. Do not understand me as saying that I

46 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

know them to be dissatisfied. I know nothing about it, but I am
not satisfied myself, and I am constantly fearing that they are
not. It seems to me that my future prosperity as a teacher de-
pends pretty much on my success this year. If I fail now I don't
know that I shall ever again obtain employment as a teacher. 'Tis
but natural that I should bend all my energies to my duties as a
teacher, still I cannot see what more I can well do than I am doing
already. I am in school regularly during the appointed hours, I try
to get the scholars along, I do all that I can to get more scholars,
and in every way that I can think of endeavor to promote the inter-
ests of my patrons. Can I do more than this? You advise me to
give up other studies for the present and devote myself to my calling.
Here I do not understand what you mean, and it is because I wish
to explain that I write so soon. If it is necessary that I give up my
studying I ought to do it at once. Still I cannot understand how it
would benefit my scholars or my patrons. I spend as many hours
in school as it is customary here to do (six), and I intend, if my pa-
trons will allow it, to take an hour more before long. Now when 1
am out of school I may as well do something as nothing. I have
been accustomed for years to reading a great deal. If I do not read
something solid and profitable I cannot help reading things that are
light and useless. Will not my patrons, then, if they are sensible
people, think more of me, both as a man and teacher, if they see me
endeavoring to gain useful knowledge, than if I read only light stuff
or even nothing at all ? But perhaps you mean that I ought to give
up Greek. I undertook it more on account of Dodge's frequent and
persistent persuasions than anything else. But although I have
made but little progress, I have become interested in it, and I cannot
see why I may not as well devote to that as anything else these
leisure hours which it is not in my power to spend for the interest
of my employers. Do not understand me now as being unwilling to
follow your advice. I only ask you to explain, to tell me what I
ought to do, and it shall be done. Please write to me on this subject
as soon as you can.

Major Broadus's reply must have been satisfactory, for
the diary says :

Friday, May 2, 1845 •' Recommenced my studies last evening* I
want to try to stick to it, but I don't know whether I can.

On May 28, 1845, Major Broadus writes with much un-

THE SCHOOLMASTER 47

certainty as to the wisdom of the Augusta Convention,1
for fear it may not turn out well, but hoping for the best.
During all this period Mr. Broadus was remarkably atten-
tive to his church duties, including prayer meeting and
Sunday-school

Thursday, June 26 : Wrote to W. A. W. last evening. Spent the
evening and night at home, studying like a clever fellow. During
this week, Greek, Latin, French, music, vocal and instrumental,
have all gone ahead in fine style. ** Too many irons in the fire,"
say you ? Not if I could stick to it ; but next week I shall go to the
singing school again and get my head full of the girls, and then
good-bye Greek.

Previous to this time postage had been twenty-five cents
a letter and it was paid by the recipient. Now it was
reduced to five. There were still no envelopes. Dr.
Broadus often delighted in the postal system as one of
the great triumphs of modern civilization. He never
mailed a letter that was to go half-way around the world
for five cents without being stirred.

He thinks of trying to go to Columbian College with
Whitescarver and John Pickett, and wants to clear one
hundred dollars next year from his teaching.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1845 • Spent last evening and night at home
in hard study. When I returned from Culpeper, I determined to try
to devote my leisure hours more closely to my studies. Thus far I
have been doing pretty well and I flatter myself, nay I have reason
to believe, that if I can persevere in much application, I may by the
close of next year read Greek with ease. Already difficulties are
removed which two weeks since seemed insurmountable. I have
made arrangements to obtain a Greek Testament and hope that, ere
long, I shall be reading the New Testament in the original tongue.

In November his father returned to the legislature and
soon arrangements were made for John to make his father
a visit in Richmond. His father in two long letters gave

1 Organization of the Southern Baptist Convention.

48 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

him minute directions about traveling by rail. The jour-
ney was safely accomplished and John greatly enjoyed
this first glimpse of the world.

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1846 : I commenced last night reading a work
on anatomy. I want you not to mention that I am studying medi-
cine, as I don't wish to have it tattled about at all.

Thursday, Feb. 3, 1846: Spent last night at home, examining
the skulls. The doctor1 is very kind and accommodating, sits with
me every night, and shows me every os and process and foramen
that I can't find myself.

Monday, March 23, 1846 : Finished on Saturday night the first
volume of my anatomy.

J. A. B. to T. W. LEWIS :

WOODLEY SEMINARY, Feb. 26, 1846: And you have at last
made the discovery that " There is no place like home," have you?
That, my dear sir, is what every one thinks when first he leaves
home and friends to " go into a strange land." Such, at least, were
my feelings ; and, indeed, for months I thought I could never be
happy anywhere else. Such notions, however, have long since
passed away, and one place is to me now almost as another. 1 still
love my home and kindred as devotedly, I am persuaded, as I ever
did, but I feel not now that sense of utter loneliness which once I
felt when away from them. Strange that we can so soon become
accustomed to different situations, that we may so easily bend our-
selves to suit our circumstances. But, though strange, it is a bless-
ing ; for, were I doomed to a continuation of such feelings as I had
soon after I left home, my lot would be miserable indeed.

You inquire if I never think about preaching. I answer, I do ;
but I always come to the conclusion that preaching is not my office.
Not because I consider a call to the ministry to consist in some supei-
natural2 intimation, for I believe that to be very little more than an
earnest and ardent desire for the work, but because I do not think 1
am qualified for it. I do not say this because I wish you to say the
contrary, but because I am endeavoring to tell you candidly my
real thoughts. I know that my mental capabilities are, in some re-
spects, not inconsiderable, but I was not ucut out" for a public
speaker ; 1 have not that grace of manner and appearance, that

* Dr. Kerfoot

2 But when he did feel called to preach, he thought differently and believed In * call
of the Holy Spirit.

THE SCHOOLMASTER 49

pleasant voice, that easy flow of words, which are indispensably
necessary in him who would make impressions on his fellows by
public speaking.

Such were some of the reasons which induced me some months
since to give up well-nigh all idea of becoming a preacher. 1 am
now, in conformity with the wishes of my relatives, and particularly
my father, devoting some of my leisure hours to the study of the
" healing art." The gentleman with whom I board was formerly a
practising physician ; he is an intelligent and accommodating man,
and has a supply of " books and bones," so that I get along with
anatomy without much difficulty.

You speak of my being so much disposed to be that butterfly
thing called a " ladies' man." I lament that I so well deserve the
name. Ofttimes I determine and redetermine, resolve and reresolve
that I will not waste so much time m fluttering around the fair, but
it really seems that I cannot help it. I feel, and bitterly, that " much
of my time has run to waste," but I cannot husband that which is
now passing by, as I would, as I should.

You have twenty scholars ; you outnumber me, then, by four, for
I have but sixteen. I may have more, and may have less ; 'tis a
matter of no consequence to me.

I never saw Brown's Grammar; what are its characteristics?
what is there in his plan that is new ? I am using now Murray,
Kirkham, and Smith, all three, and I can hardly say which I con-
sider the best.

The diary closes May n, 1846. It is a most interest-
ing narrative of the passing of the boy into the man.
His letter-book makes mention of two letters to the Win-
chester "Republican " and one to the Winchester " Vir-
ginian/' during the last months of his stay in Clarke.
Thus early did his career as a newspaper writer begin.

Mr. Broadus, like his father, took the keenest interest
in the society of the Sons of Temperance, an organi-
zation which did much good. In May, 1846, he was
asked to deliver an address before the Berryville Total
Abstinence Society. He wrote the speech out in full.
On the back of the manuscript Doctor Broadus had
written, " This affair (my first effort) was prepared in

50 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

the summer of 1846 by appointment of the Berryville
T. A. Soc'y ; but the day was rainy, and the speech
could not be delivered. Pity ! " The address shows
that the youth of nineteen years had the power to seize
strong arguments and put them into striking speech.
For the comfort of other young orators it is worth noting
that there is a touch of the sophomore (to whom Doctor
Broadus so often paid his respects) in the peroration :

Be excelsior our motto, our watchword onward, and let us never
cease from our labors until the power of intemperance shall be tram-
pled in the dust and the proud flag of total abstinence shall wave
over every hilltop of our native land.

EDMUND BROADUS to J. A. B. :

CULPEPER, June 10, 1846 : In your last you mentioned that you
had promised to make a temperance speech. I hope that you did so
and that you had " liberty and light " or rather " light and liberty."
But if you failed, what of it? Would you be the first who failed in
the first effort? Speaking does not come naturally; although the
organs are given, their use must be taught. Children learn to talk by
tuition, or the organs would lie dormant. Public speaking requires
practice after vou know how to speak ; there is a certain degree of
confidence necessary to enable a speaker, young or old, to do justice
to his talents or his knowledge of the subject ; practice alone can
give that in the right way or in the right degree. A man may be
bold and dauntless and care but little what he says or how he says
it. That is not the confidence I like to see. In the first place, a
speaker ought to know something, or rather, a good deal, of the sub-
ject on which he speaks, and then if he is master of language enough
to express his ideas, without an effort for words, he may confidently
expect success, and may be easy. It is not always expedient to say
in a public speech all that is true — a proper selection should be made
so as to produce effect, and care should be taken to avoid anything
which would offend or shock the audience. Of course all that is
said should be true, whether there is to be a reply or not It gives
the audience confidence in the speaker without which but little good
can ever be effected. But why should I be telling you all this — your
own good sense, observation, and Mr. Dodge can supply you. Let
us hear from your effort.

Your mother's health is not good, and mine is not as good as

THE SCHOOLMASTER $1

common ; the rest are well. There is no neighborhood news, or
very little. Carry gives you the gossip of our community. . .

The great Baptist anniversaries are going on, you know. Well,
they mean well and are right in their objects. Is there not danger
that they go too fast in some things? You have no idea of the
amount of zeal manifested in the cities on the subject of foreign mis-
sions. This is all right, but 1 fear still the political effect of the
division between North and South. Everything which tends to
estrange and sever the feelings of the people of different sections of
the Union, weakens so far the Union itself, and renders more prob-
able what is already dreaded by every patriot. I have often heard
it advocated on the ground that it would stimulate both sides and
more would be done in the cause of missions. That may be so ;
but ought we to endanger our existence as a republican government
and lose the guaranty of religious liberty, or liberty of conscience, in
the effort to increase the stimulus to work even in a good cause? Do
not think me unfriendly to missions — it is not so ; but " the world
was not made in a day." On the contrary, the great Artisan em-
ployed six distinct days to build a world which he could have
spoken into existence in all its perfection as easily as he said, " Let
there be light, and there was light." We are to be the instruments
of carrying forward the designs of the Almighty in evangelizing the
world ; but we ought to be satisfied to feel our way, and not assume
that that is the great good, and sacrifice every other blessing to that
duty.

Your coat and vest are made. Inform us directly whether we
shall have them carried to you by Brother Grimsley, or whether
you will wait till you come over to see us at harvest We had only
one day meeting on the fifth Sunday, and then only our pastor, on
account of the rainy weather ; so you would have been disappointed
had you come.

In June, 1846, Major Broadus corresponded with Hon.
J. C. Cabell about obtaining a position at the University
of Virginia in order to give John a university education.
This correspondence led to the offer of the new office of
steward for State students. The faculty, through Mr.
Cabell, urged his acceptance of the place. So Major
Broadus took up his abode on Monroe Hill in the fall.
He made his arrangements to move September i. He

52 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

urged John to be on hand at the beginning of the ses-
sion if his kind friends in Clarke would let him off.
Preaching was still in John's mind. The study of
" bones " did not satisfy him. He was working his way
toward the light and sought the help of his intimate
friends. Still he pushed the question of preaching away
from him. He was going to be a physician, and he had
the chance of going to the University of Virginia. That
was the alluring prospect now before him. But God laid
his hand on him. Writing to his father, August n, he
says :

Last evening I reached home from Upperville, where I had been
since Saturday, attending the meeting of the Salem Union Associa-
tion. What occurred there I can tell you when we meet.

What John had to tell his father we know from his own
words in his memorial of A. M. Poindexter : l

In August, 1846, while pursuing the agency for Columbia College,
he [Poindexter] attended the Potomac Association — or was it not
then called Salem Union ?— at Upperville, Fauquier County, and
preached two sermons, which are vividly remembered by at least one
person who was present, and which may be referred to as illustrating
the usefulness of many kinds which Dr. Poindexter always con-
nected with agency work. A youth who had been teaching school
in that vicinity two or three years, had just been released m order
to enter the University of Virginia and study medicine. For three
years a professed Christian, he had often thought about the question
of becoming a minister, but considered himself to have finally decided
that it was not his duty. On Sunday Dr. Poindexter preached upon
" Glorying in the Cross." The young man had often heard with
enthusiasm and delight such truly eloquent preachers as Barnett
Grimsley, Cumberland George, and Henry W. Dodge; but he
thought, that Sunday at Upperville, that he had never before imag-
ined what preaching might be, never before conceived the half of
the grandeur and glory that gathers sublime around the Cross of
Christ. . .

The next morning Doctor Poindexter was requested to preach at

1 "Sermons and Addresses," pp. 397-399

THE SCHOOLMASTER 53

eleven o'clock in the church, the Association adjourning to hear him.
The sermon was one which he often preached in the journey ings of
later years on the Parable of the Talents. Impressing the duty of
Christian beneficence, he adopted a plan which will be remembered
by many as characteristic. He mastered the complete sympathy of
many hearers, the prosperous farmers of that beautiful region, by ar-
guing long and earnestly that it was right for the Christian to gather
property, and right to provide well for his family. Excellent brethren
were charmed. No preacher had ever before so fully justified the
toil and sacrifices by which they had been steadily growing rich.
They looked across the house into the faces of delighted friends.
They smiled and winked and nodded to each other in every direction.
But when the preacher had gained their full sympathy, the sudden
appeal he made to consecrate their wealth to the highest ends of ex-
istence, to the good of mankind and the glory of Christ, was a tor-
rent, a tornado that swept everything before it. Presently he spoke
of consecrating one's mental gifts and possible attainments to the
work of the ministry. He seemed to clear up all difficulties pertain-
ing to the subject ; he swept away all the disguise of self-delusion,
all the excuses of fancied humility ; he held up the thought that the
greatest sacrifices and toils possible to a minister's lifetime would be
a hundred-fold repaid if he should be the instrument of saving one
soul. Doubtless the sermon had many more important results which
have not fallen in the way of being recorded ; but when intermission
came, the young man who has been mentioned sought out his pastor,
and with a choking voice said : " Brother Grimsley, the question is
decided ; I must try to be a preacher." For the decision of that hour
he is directly indebted under God to A. M. Poindexter ; and amid a
thousand imperfections and shortcomings, that work of the ministry
has been the joy of his life.

He knew now what a call to preach was. So he left
Clarke County the last of August with a throbbing heart-
He was deeply grateful to his friends there, especially to
Doctor and Mrs. Kerfoot, for their many kindnesses to
him. He rode his father's riding-horse, Dick, over the
mountains to Culpeper with many thoughts in his heart.
The glorious Blue Ridge had a new meaning to him now.
The whole world had opened out to him since he had first
crossed the mountains into Clarke. He was reaching out

54 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

after it. He had gone away two years before with fear
and trembling ; he came back with solemn and mighty
purposes. A few days here in the old scenes and he was
off to the university to the larger life to which God was
calling him.

CHAPTER V
THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

Whose high endeavors are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright ;
Who with a natural instinct to discern
What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn.

— Wordsworth

THE University of Virginia offered the most thorough
education to be had in this country in the forties.
The wisdom of Thomas Jefferson's educational ideal has
long been justified, if its full recognition was slow of foot.
Nearly every essential idea that was incorporated by Mr.
Jefferson in the University of Virginia for the first time
in America has since been adopted and enlarged upon by
older and wealthier universities. Virginia's primacy in
the highest educational standards is as true as her early
leadership in statecraft. Prof. Herbert B. Adams, associ-
ate professor of history in Johns Hopkins University, has
furnished a fascinating account of the inception, growth,
and influence of the University of Virginia.1 This able
work is written from original sources and is amply illus-
trated. No more noble contribution to the history of
American education has been made. The Commissioner
of Education, Mr. N. H. R. Dawson, writing to Mr. Lamar,
Secretary of the Interior, commending the treatise for
publication, gives the following unstinted praise to Jef*
ferson and the University of Virginia :

1 U, S. Bureau of Education. Circular of Information, No. i, 1888. " Contribu-
tions to American Educational History." by Herbert B. Adams. No a, "Thomas
Jefferson and the University of Virginia," by Herbert B. Adams, Ph. D., 225 pp<
See also Gessner Harrison's article In Duycklnck's "Cyclopaedia of American
Literature/'

55

56 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

To the University of Virginia, Jefferson's creation, the whole coun-
try is indebted for the following distinguished services to the higher
education: (i) The recognition of real university standards of in-
struction and scholarship. (2) The absolute repression of the class-
system, and the substitution of merit for seniority in the award of
degrees. (3) The first complete introduction of the elective system.
(4) The establishment of distinct " schools," in which great subjects
were grouped ; for example, ancient languages, modern languages,
mathematics, law, and politics ; each school having its autonomy
and its own standard of graduation. (5) The institution of constitu-
tional government, in academic form, with an appointed president or
chairman of the faculty, holding office for one year, but eligible for
re-appointment by the Board of Visitors. (6) The promotion of self-
government among the students, with the cultivation of an esprit de
corps sustaining high standards of academic honor and scholarship.

The University of Virginia exerted such an overmas-
tering power on John A. Broadus's whole nature through
all the years that an adequate idea of this noble institu-
tion is necessary in order to understand his mental habits.
Twelve years of Doctor Broadus's life were spent in close
connection with the University, and the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, to which the rest of his life was
given, was patterned after it. But for the impress of the
University system upon him, the elective method of study
could never have been implanted in the Seminary.

Comparatively few persons, even in the South, are
familiar with the important facts connected with the
founding of the University of Virginia. Before Jefferson's
day American higher education was a very simple affair.
The older English educational standards were reproduced
by the Puritan at Harvard College and the Cavalier at
William and Mary. Both institutions followed the beaten
track with similar curricula. " Jefferson's propositions
for the modification of this ancient scholastic curriculum
represent the first current of modern ideas, which began
in 1779, at Williamsburg, to flow into American life."1

1 " Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia," p. 41.

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 57

Jefferson's sojourn in Paris had brought him in contact
with French education at the time when sympathy for
French institutions was very strong m the United States.
While there (1786) he had become interested in a gigan-
tic scheme of the French savant, Quesnay, for the estab-
lishment of a national academy at Richmond, Virginia,
which should be a reproduction of the great academy at
Paris, with branches at New York, Philadelphia, etc. It
was no less than an effort to reproduce French Catholic
culture in the United States with Richmond as the center.
The building l in Richmond was actually secured and one
member appointed to organize it, but the French Revolu-
tion smashed this grand scheme all to pieces and saved
the South and the country from the dominance of French
culture over our Saxon institutions. But Jefferson did get
the idea of distinct schools of art and science from Paris.
He had become profoundly interested in higher education
in Europe. He felt that the stability of free institutions
rested upon the education of the people. So he sought the
best models the world over, at Edinburgh, Geneva, Paris,
Oxford, Cambridge, Rome. He once actually thought of
importing the faculty of Geneva bodily to Virginia, but
Washington opposed it. Jefferson's advocacy of religious
liberty necessitated the establishment of an unsectarian
school, unlike William and Mary College, his alma mater.
Though a Unitarian himself, says Adams, he did not wish
to promulgate his religious views through educational in-
stitutions. He decided to devote his closing years to the
work of education. His system comprised three grades
of schools : various district schools in each county, acad-
emies, a State university.

As to the relative importance of the University and common schools
for the people of Virginia, he once said in a letter to a friend, Joseph

* This building; was used for the meeting of the convention that adopted the Con-
stitution of the United States-

58 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

C. Cabell, January 13, 1823 : " Were it necessary to give up either
the primaries or the University, I would rather abandon the last,
because it is safer to have the whole people enlightened than a few
in a high state of science and the many in ignorance. This last is
the most dangerous state in which a nation can be. The nations
and governments of Europe are so many proofs of it." L

He labored earnestly to get local taxation for free schools
as early as 1796, but failed. Again in 1818 State sub-
sidy alone could be secured, the counties being unwilling
to tax themselves for public schools. Not till 1870 did
Virginia awake to Jefferson's ideas about popular educa-
tion. He addressed himself vigorously to higher educa-
tion, hoping to create sentiment for popular education,
and so worked from above downward through trained and
enlightened men. Perhaps Jefferson would have failed
in putting into actual shape his ideals of university educa-
tion but for the timely aid of Hon. J. C. Cabell, who in
1806 returned from a three years' stay in European uni-
versities, where he also had obtained broader ideas of
education than existed at William and Mary, his alma
mater. Cabell wished to rejuvenate William and Mary
by establishing a museum of natural history. Jefferson
declined to help, but his private secretary, Col. Isaac A.
Coles, suggested to the ambitious young Cabell that he
enter the legislature, and instead of trying to enlarge an
old institution, seek to found a new one. Thus in 1807
came to Cabell "a declaration of independence in the
matter of higher education in Virginia." Cabell took
this advice, entered the legislature in 1809, in two years
more the State Senate, and stayed there until 1829 after
the complete triumph of Jefferson's plans. Doctor Adams
pointedly says that, without CabelPs aid, " Jefferson's
university ideal would never have been realized, at least
in his lifetime."

1 " Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia/* p, 3,4.

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 59

After the appropriation was made by the State Senate,
there was difficulty in deciding where the new institu-
tion should be established. There was a sharp conflict
between William and Mary, Washington College, and
Staunton.

Jefferson was determined to have Central College
(which he had enlarged from Albemarle College), one
mile from Charlottesville, made the university. He
pointed out that, if a line through the State were drawn
in almost any direction, it would go through Charlottes-
ville. He thus carried his point over the rivalries of the
East and the West. The commission recommended Cen-
tral College for the new university seat, with Jefferson's
ideas of instruction. Edward Everett reviewed Jefferson's
whole scheme in the "North American Review," Jan-
uary, 1820. Fierce opposition sprang up in the legislature,
Mr. Cabell rose in his might and publicly and privately
convinced the opponents of the bill, establishing the uni-
versity at Charlottesville. On January 25, 1819, it was
done. Cabell had brought on hemorrhage of the lungs by
exposure and loss of sleep while working for this meas-
ure. He and Jefferson had won at last. Jefferson was
made the first Rector of the Board of Visitors. From
Monticello he could look down on the university grounds
with his spy glass and even watch the bricks placed in
the walls. He busied himself with every detail. The
university was his "pet." He drew numerous plans and
made an original conception of an academic village with
monastic cloisters and classic architecture, Doric, Ionic,
and Corinthian. The beautiful lawn with its double row
of trees, the noble line of professors' houses and students'
lodgings (East Lawn and West Lawn) fronted by classic
colonnades, the farther rows of students' dormitories on
each side (East Range and West Range) present a har-
monious and stately picture. Each professor's house had

60 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

some feature of famous buildings of antiquity, but the
crown of all was the Rotunda at the head of the lawn,
whose proportions were modeled after the Pantheon, re-
duced to one-third the size.1 The capitals of the col-
umns on the portico were made in Italy, and Italian
workmen were imported.

Mr. Jefferson created a unique university plant and
the most beautiful one in America. In 1824 Professor
Ticknor, of Harvard, made a visit to Thomas Jefferson at
Monticello. He wrote as follows to the historian Prescott
about the elective system :

It is, however, an experiment worth trying, to which I earnestly
desire the happiest results ; and they have to begin it, a mass of
buildings more beautiful than any thing architectural in New England,
and more appropriate to a university than can be found, perhaps, in
the world.2

As a result of this visit Professor Ticknor succeeded
in introducing several of Jefferson's ideas into Harvard
College, though with much opposition. President Way-
land, of Brown, afterward made a similar visit to the
University of Virginia. He was favorably impressed and
strongly advocated the elective system of instruction and
other features of the University of Virginia. Jefferson
insisted on a high order of professors. All came from
abroad save two ; for obvious reasons the chairs of Law
and Political History and Science could be better filled
by Americans. The new teachers all gave prestige to
the institution. Professors Blaetterman, Long, Key,
Bonnycastle, and Dunglison, brought fame from abroad,
while Professors Tucker and Lomax represented strength
at home. The doors were opened in 1825. Jefferson

1 The Rotunda was burned October 27, 1895. It was a sad Sunday for the Univer-
sity. The Rotunda has since been restored and several other buildings have been
added.

3 M Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia," p 174,

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 6 1

died in 1826, leaving as one of the phrases he wished
inscribed on his tomb : " Father of the University of
Virginia."

It is impossible to estimate the influence of the Univer-
sity of Virginia over the educational system of the South
and of the North as well. Professors, lawyers, statesmen,
physicians, ministers, and business men have poured
from its walls. No honorary degrees have ever
been conferred. Its M. A. was the highest scholastic
degree in this country. This was before the introduction
of the specializing Ph. D. Original research and exact-
ing work was the atmosphere from the start. In after
years, looking back upon it, Doctor Broadus said :

The noblest legacy they have left us is this— that the very genius
of the place is -work. No professor or student of susceptible soul can
establish himself here without feeling that there breathes through all
the air this spirit of work, a noble rage for knowing and for teach-
ing,1

The leading professors in the University when Mr.
Broadus entered in 1846, were Gessner Harrison, W. B.
Rogers, J. L. Cabell, R. E. Rogers, E. H. Courtenay, M.
Schele de Vere, W. H. McGuffey, John B. Minor, and
John Staige Davis. Some of these had been at the
University only a short while, but they were all men
of great ability. He came under the spell of three
teachers in particular : Harrison, McGuffey, Courtenay.

Gessner Harrison was one of the first three graduates
of the institution. When Prof. George Long returned to
England in 1828 he recommended this young man to suc-
ceed him as professor of ancient languages. He had ex-
pected to practise medicine, but gave up that ambition for
the classics. This professor of nineteen years began to
do some of the most original study and thorough teaching
"n this country. Long sent him "Bopp's Comparative

1 Memorial of Gessner Harrison, in " Sermons and Addresses." p. 347.

62 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Grammar," just out and used nowhere else in America.
He eagerly devoured it. The students talked flippantly
of "Old Gess's humbuggery," but he stuck to his ety-
mology and philology. He went to the root of things.
By degrees he won his spurs. He was working along
right lines and began to kindle enthusiasm for genuine
scholarship. He became the leading spirit of the Univer-
sity and did much to uplift Southern educational ideals.
He was greatly gifted in the use of illustration. He had
keen fondness for Roman history, making it fascinating
indeed. His common sense, quiet humor, simplicity, and
devout piety adorned a wealth of learning. His examin-
ations were very rigid. One year, out of a hundred and
fifty in senior Latin, only twenty-six were graduated. A
story is told by Doctor Broadus that one day a student
came out of Professor Harrison's office with a broad
smile. His friends, waiting their turn, asked if he had
passed. " No/' he said, " but old Gess said that I came
nigher to it than any fellow that didn't pass." Doctor
Harrison was the author of a Latin grammar and a work
on Greek prepositions. He was made Chairman of the
Faculty repeatedly. In 1859, to niake better provision
for his family, he left the institution to establish a high
school for university aspirants. He died in 1862 from
fever caught while nursing a sick son. Doctor Broadus,
*in concluding a noble panegyric on Gessner Harrison,
said :

And let it be the last word spoken to-day concerning Gessner
Harrison, spoken, as it were in his name to the professors and stu-
dents of the University that he loved so well : Sirs, brothers, FEAR
GOD AND WORK.1

Professor McGuffey had come to the chair of moral
philosophy in 1845. He was a gifted teacher, pursuing
the Socratic method. He taught the student to think.

1 " Sermons and Addresses,," Memorial of Gessner Harrison, p. 347.

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 63

Doctor Broadus always remembered with emotion the
first time that Doctor McGuffey asked him his own
opinion on a point in philosophy. It marked an epoch
in his intellectual life. Dr. Geo. B. Taylor, of Italy,
says that he often found himself overcome with feel-
ing in Doctor McGuffey's class-room. He had great
charm of expression and strongly advocated extempore
speaking. His series of school readers is familiar to
many. J. A. B. was fond of telling a story of a
gentleman who confided to him his great admiration for
Doctor McGuffey as a writer, pointing to the selection in
the Fifth Reader, "To be or not to be/' as an example 1
Professor Courtenay had held the chair of mathematics
since 1842. He was a very able teacher. Clear state-
ment, unwearied repetition, and courtly manners espe-
cially characterized him. Professor Courtenay was the
author of a work on differential and integral calculus.

As a teacher Doctor Broadus combined the excellencies of three
men by whom he had been strongly influenced: Gessner Harrison,
the patient, careful seeker after principles; William H. McGuffey,
the quickenerof sluggish intellects into activity; and E. H. Court-
enay, the lover of exact statement.1

Dr. Broadus often spoke of the different methods pur-
sued by these teachers with a student's difficulty. Pro-
fessor Courtenay would patiently repeat his original clear
statement until the man saw it ; Professor McGuffey
would seek to get the student's point of view so as to
point out the difficulty and remove it ; Professor Harrison,
with his brilliant imagination, would turn every color of
the rainbow on the subject till it flashed before the stu-
dent's mind.

There were about a hundred and fifty matriculates in
1846; the number rose to nearly three hundred before

H. H. Harris, "Religious Herald/' March sa, 1895.

64 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Broadus' student days were over, and soon thereafter
seven hundred crowded the University, the highest
number ever attained.1 A number of John A. Broadus's
fellow-students became distinguished in after life : Gen-
eral Roger A. Pryor, of the New York bar ; Hon. Wm.
Wirt Henry, of Richmond ; E. R. Pollard, author of " The
Lost Cause"; Prof. John Hart, Virginia; Rev. C. A.
Briggs, D. D., of Union Theological Seminary ; Rev. Ti-
berius Gracchus Jones, D. D., Virginia; Col. Wm. Le
Roy Broun, Alabama ; Hon. F. W. M. Holliday, Virginia ;
Bishop James A. Latane, Baltimore; Col. Alfred T.
Rives, Virginia ; Charles Dabney, son of "The Southern
Planter"; Nat. Tyler, editor of the " Richmond En-
quirer " ; Gen. W. C. Wickham ; Dr. Edward Warren
(Warren Bey) ; Judge Fernando Farrar (Johnny Reb) ;
Gen, Sam'l Garland ; Prof. F. H. Smith, of the Univer-
sity; Prof. C. H. Judson, of Furman University; Prof.
Chas. S. Venable, of the University; Prof. James D.
White, of Washington and Lee. Many others also be-
came men of power and mark. Much of the flower of
the South was here. Dr. Broadus often said that a stu-
dent gained as much from his college-mates as from his
professor. Mr. Broadus roomed with his old friend W.
A. Whitescarver. He once said of him : " He is the only
man I never found anything wrong in. We talk about
saints. William is one."

Mr. Broadus was well prepared in Latin at Albert G.
Simms' school, but was poorly off in algebra, French,
and Greek, having picked these studies up himself.
Hence he took advantage of the elective system, select-
ing a rather irregular ticket. The points in this pro-
gramme to be noted were his taking moral philosophy
the first year and then finishing mathematics in two

1 In the " Alumni Bulletin/' May* 1895, there is a graphical record of the student
attendance from 1835 to 1894

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 65

years with practically no preparation and giving a year
to graduate mathematics, graduating in Greek in two
years when he knew nothing to start on save what he
had picked up himself m Clarke County, and giving four
years to his degree when he might have taken it in
three. He and his room-mate would take long walks
and drill each other on the Greek forms to make up for
lack of training in them. He devoted one vacation also to
Greek. With what relish this brilliant student absorbed
everything in the University ! The hunger after knowl-
edge which had stirred his soul in the rides over the
Blue Ridge was being gratified. He was drinking deep
at this pure spring. No man ever quaffed here who
drew more refreshment and inspiration. His whole na-
ture expanded, his powers grew, his prowess came rapidly.
He found delight in the whirl of his great opportunities.
He was open to all that passed before him, while his
horizon widened with every step up the mountain. Hon.
W. W. Henry says that he considered him the strongest
man at the University. But some could not understand
his habit of working so hard. Some even said : " He is
only a plodder." He had the reputation of studying all
night because Whitescarver sat up late and he got up
early, thus keeping the light burning nearly all night.
Professor Smith says of him : "If genius is the ability
and willingness to do hard work, he was a genius." He
avoided overloading himself, so as to be able to master
every detail and make it his own. Humdrum work was
done conscientiously. He did not try to " cut " and then
"cram" for examination. He practised what he after-
wards so earnestly preached to his students. At first he
had such difficulty with his mathematics that he was dis-
posed to give it up, having really no preparation, but
Professor Courtenay made him persevere until he dis-
tinguished himself in it as much as in the other schools,

E

66 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

and it was regarded as his favorite study. Although
generally at the veiy front in his classes, he did not ex-
cite the jealousy of the student body. Prof. F. H. Smith
characterizes his student life thus : *

He cultivated a great power of application and grew to have a
great ability to work, and was not ashamed that otheis should
know it The wonderful result of this steady, methodical industry
was that in after years he could do unheard-of things in the briefest
time. His disciplined faculties were so under his will that the result,
while natural, was surprising. . . He demanded of himself the best
he could do in all that he did. The resulting clearness and correct-
ness of his thinking begat that limpid, lucid, crystalline purity of
expression which marked his writing and speaking.

Mr. Broadus became an active member of the Jefferson
Society, the largest in the University. Here he had to de-
bate with men like Holliday, Henry, and Pryor. He had
a favorite place in the woods, near the cemetery, where
he would walk and study his speeches, wearing a path
in the forest. The habit of composing addresses while
walking remained with him. Mr. Henry says that
Broadus was the best debater in the Jefferson, besting
Pryor and Holliday, when he locked horns with them.
In June, 1848, he delivered the valedictory address for
the society, a distinguished honor for his second year.
In the fall of that year the society formally asked for
the publication of this address. The subject was " Na-
tional Literature." Here is a characteristic extract :

What nobler purpose for the young man who is just going out
from college, than that he will contribute to the progress of letters?
I cannot but be persuaded that either directly or indirectly you will
do this. But whether it be in literature or in other pursuits, that you
seek for usefulness and distinction, one thing remember— the price
of all success is toil, hard and umemitting,

Mr. Broadus found time for active religious work in

1 *' Seminary Magazine/' April,

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 67

various ways, in the students' prayer meetings, teaching
a Bible class, and conducting a Sunday-school in the
Ragged Mountains. In after life he often said that a
man was not fit to go as missionary to China who
would not work with the needy at his own doors. He
showed that piety and scholarship were not incompatible.
His charming personality made him popular.

He was a loyal Christian, for whom even the wicked never had a
word of disrespect. It was wonderful, the universal kindliness felt
by the bad and good alike for him.1

I remember a fine young fellow-student, who was no Christian,
showing me his autograph book, in which Broadus had, at his re-
quest, written a line. It was only three words in Greek, *v <r« tWepet,
*' one thing thou lackest" A finer compliment and yet more faithful
admonition could scarcely be conceived.2

Many years afterwards a seminary student from Texas
bore to Doctor Broadus a message from an honored
physician in that State who said that he had never been
able to forget that sentence in his album, and he trusted
now that he had found the " one thing lacking/'

On June 22, 1847, a great shadow came over his life.
He was sent for quickly, and on entering his mother's
room, only heard her say, "My son," as she passed
away. She died of a sudden and severe attack of heart
disease. She had given John the true ideal of woman-
hood, and taught him from his earliest years that beauti-
ful reverence for women which was so thoroughly a part
of his character.

General John H. Cocke, of Fluvanna, one of the
oldest8 and most efficient members of the Board of Visit-
ors, in the fall of 1848, writes to Major Broadus, urging
him to exert his influence among the students in behalf

1 Prof. Smith, "Seminary Magazine," April, 1895.

* Prof. Smith, " Religious Herald." April 4, x8gj.

* General Cocke was a member of the Board of Central College, and one of the
original members of the University Board.

68 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

of temperance. Some reproaches had been cast on the
University on the score of intemperance. Major Broadus
had long been a prominent figure in the Sons of Temper-
ance. In fact, before General Cocke's anxiety, Major
Broadus had, with the co-operation of James Alexander,
John B. Minor, and others, already established a Division
of this Order in the University. In 1848, young Broadus
appears as Worthy Patriarch, having joined the Order
the year before. He was now in much demand as a
temperance orator before Divisions in various parts of
the State.

Doctor Harrison, the Chairman of the Faculty, was
much opposed to anything like espionage over the Uni-
versity men. He believed in expecting the men to be
gentlemen and treating them as such. There is diffi-
culty, in the nature of the case, in striking the right note
in the discipline of a large number of young men, more
or less raw and full of life. Doctor McCosh similarly
had a severe struggle when he took hold of Princeton,
but succeeded in greatly toning up the institution. Mr,
Broadus early formed the habit of praying regularly and
often for schools of learning, teachers, and students.
Many persons may remember how, at the opening of the
school session, he would make public appeal for prayer
for the schools of the country. Mr. Jefferson's free sys*
tern, while developing manhood, likewise called for sym-
pathetic interest and spiritual guidance.

A letter of Mr. G. W. Hansbrough, a native of Orange
County, to Doctor Hiden, gives a striking example of the
manner in which Doctor Broadus impressed himself upon
his comrades, even in his youth :

When I was a little over sixteen and he twenty-two, we were
students at the University and room-mates at his father's house.
We were both members of the Jefferson Debating Society. One
night Mr. B. came into our room much excited, and told me that

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 69

in a debate he had uttered some language of severe criticism on one
S. P., who resented what he considered an insult, and had promptly
written and sent Mr. B. a peremptory demand for an apology ; and
Mr. B. requested me to take his answer. Not being of a very
pacific disposition, I took some part in dictating the answer, and
it was not particularly conciliatory. P. was a law student, about
twenty-five years old, tall and handsome, and very much of the
peacock in character and manner. I took the answer ; it was not
satisfactory to his Haughtiness. On my return, I found old Major
Broadus in our room with John. When he saw the note I had car-
ried, he said: "John, John, this will never do. You were wrong;
such style of speech was wholly inconsistent with your profession
and purposes in life. You must forthwith send an unconditional
apology." Much loath, I took the apology to the irate gentleman,
who accepted it, but with the conditions that " the apology should
be made as public as was the insult." Well, at the next meeting of
the society, I was present. John A. Broadus was not naturally of a
very meek disposition. But on that occasion he arose, and in a
manner indicating a deep sense that he was wrong, went on to
acknowledge his error in most impressive tones, gaming at every
word the utmost sympathy of his hearers, apologizing not so much
to his adversary, but, as it were, in the presence of his Lord and
Master, whom he confessed to having justly offended by giving
way to sinful anger, and indulging in unseemly sarcasm. I could
perceive in the countenances of all around me a manifestation of
unusually heightened respect and admiration for Mr. Broadus, and
a corresponding disapprobation and contempt for his adversary.
Upon his concluding his statement, a silence of subdued sympathy
and appreciation prevailed for a considerable time. From that hour
John A. Broadus stood, as ever since he has stood, on a plane
infinitely higher, whilst P. sank to a much lower one. The feelings
I entertained were those of awe in contemplating a height and
grandeur of character of which I had never before suspected the
existence ; and ever since, I have watched his career with interest,
regarding him as perhaps the greatest man Virginia has produced
in the present century*

During one session of his university course he taught
the daughters of Professors Courtenay and Howard, and
the son of Professor Harrison. He was very careful to
work out all the mathematical problems at every point.

70 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

He was using an algebra, recommended by Professor
Courtenay, which had a large number of curious, original
problems. On finding three that baffled his skill, he
took them to Professor Courtenay, who solved one,
pointed out that one was wrongly stated, and freely con-
fessed that he himself could not solve the third.

J. A. B. to MRS. BICKERS :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Feb. 3, 1849: Sister C.1 is married
and gone. . . I might have been sad, if 1 would ; sad, not because
she has married the man she has, my friend of many years, a
friend whom every trial has but rendered more fondly dear, but
because my sister, who it seemed to me had become indispensably
necessary to my happiness, is gone, and 1 am left alone, as desolate
as an only child, with none who can so well sympathize in my joys
and sorrows, none to counsel and aid, as a fond sister only can.
But I have striven, and successfully, against everything like sad-
ness. One thing, however, I have learned that I did not know
before, that when dear friends part, they who stay must always
sorrow more than those who go. I have had experience now in
both. Our mamma is very kind and affectionate, and I love her
most sincerely. She must needs have many troubles as the head
of such a household as this, yet nothing that I can do shall be want-
ing to make her happy.

THOMAS L. SNEAD to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND COLLEGE, April 20, 1849: The contingency to which
I referred, when at the University, exists sooner than I anticipated.
The professorship of mathematics in this college has been vacated
by the resignation of Mr. Robertson and I hope that J may be allowed
to represent you to the Board of Trustees as willing to supply the
vacancy. I fear that no inducements that they can offer will be
sufficient to lead you to forego the pleasure of passing another year
at the University, and of carrying off the M. A. which awaits you,
but I will hope for the best, and tell you what out people may do
for you* The college goes fully into operation this year for the
first time. The number of students during the present session has
been seventy-two. , . Be good enough to write an answer as soon

1 His sister Carrie had married W. A. Whitescarver, an4 his fvffw ha4 njarrted
Miss Somervi lie Ward*

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 71

as you conveniently can, and allow me to insist on a favorable
reply.

But Mr. Broadus kept to his M. A. How often in after
years he exhorted his students to stick to their course of
study and not be lured away by calls to this or that, but
to "think of their probable life as a whole and do what
they would be glad of at the end."

On June 4, 1849, Mr. Broadus preached his first ser-
mon. It was at the Mount Eagle (Presbyterian) Church,
in Albemarle County. The text was from Ps. 62 : 8,
" God is a refuge for us."

Mrs. L. L. Hamilton, of Charlottesville, then a child
near Keswick, writes as follows concerning this first
sermon :

Dr. William McGuffey, professor of moral philosophy in the
University of Virginia, had charge of the church. Being sick on
this particular Sunday, he sent down one ot his students " to fill his
place/' And well did he fill it. The doctor was dry and logical and
preached more to the head than to the heart. On this day, which I
well remember, there stood up in his place a slightly built, dark-
haired youth, scarcely twenty1 years of age, who spoke as I never
heard man speak before of our gracious Saviour. There was some-
thing in his manner very entreating, veiy touching, very convincing.
After the sermon all were eager to find out the name of the student
who had filled so acceptably the learned professor's place. That day
was the first time I ever saw or heard the name " John A. Broadus."
I was about eleven years of age, I wish 1 could recall the text, but
I well remember the impression made upon me by its charming sim-
plicity. He had made comprehensible, even to the mind of a child,
great Bible truths.

His next sermon was July 2, at New Salem, Culpeper,
his home church, always a trying experience to the
young preacher. On this occasion the text2 was i Tim.

1 Really over twenty-two.

2 Doctor Broadus left two large notebooks filled with dates, places, and texts of all
the sermons preached during his whole life, a good practice for all preachers, It Is
thus profitable to see some of his homiletical habits. The first book has also a list

72 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

4:8. He now had two sermons. On the afternoon of
the same day he preached his sermon from Ps. 62 : 8
at John Lewis's home in Culpeper. On August 3 he
preached at Berryvilleon Lam. 3 : 33. The subject was
chosen because it was a "Fast Day." August 31 he
preached at the Brick Church, Culpeper, during the
session of the Shiloh Association. This time his text
was Gal. 3:1. On September 3 he preached at Cul-
peper Court-House from Luke 8 : 39. He now had five
sermons and had preached at all the scenes of his early
career.

In September, 1849, he was asked to be permanent
supply for the Charlottesville Baptist Church. His bro-
ther Madison wants him to do it, " for you can preach,"
he says. His brother had previously felt grave doubts
of his success. However, he wisely declined the com-
mittee's urgent request fiom the church. Their petition
showed their estimate of the young preacher. They
urged that here he could "cultivate those superior tal-
ents which have been committed to you, as we prayer-
fully hope, for very great usefulness in the vineyard of
our Master."

During the next session (the last) he pteached seven
times for the country churches around Charlottesville.
Once during the spring of 1850 he preached for the col-
ored Baptist congregation of Charlottesville. His text
on this occasion was Heb. 4 : 16. Rev. J. R. Scott1 had
often urged him to study " Butler's Analogy " and preach
to the Negroes. He always commended to his students
this sound advice.

During the last session John A. Broadus was one of
the editors of the " Jefferson Monument Magazine," and

of the themes and texts of Rev. J. R. Scott, Chaplain at the University while Mr
Broadus was a student,
i See " Broadus's. History of Preaching," p. 108.

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT 73

exhibited great diligence in securing contributions from
old students and other prominent friends of the Univer-
sity. He was also the leader of the chapel choir, and
thus found useful his music which he had learned in
Clarke. Prof. F. H. Smith entered as a student this
year. He and Mr. Broadus soon became warm friends.
He thus describes Broadus :

My first meeting with him was in October, 1849, at the students'
weekly prayer meeting, then held on Sunday afternoon in the parlor
of Mr. Addison Maupin. It was just after my first matriculation in
the University. At a certain stage of the meeting a student of strik-
ing personal appearance and bright dark eyes glowing with the light
of intellect rose to speak and drew the attention of all. I was at
once impressed with the force, propriety, and simplicity of his brief
utterances. There were a maturity and sense in what he said that
marked him as no common student. I soon learned that he was
John A. Broadus, the son of Major Edmund Broadus, who lived on
Monroe Hill, near by. We were thereafter thrown much together.
We often met at Dr. Gessner Harrison's house, being attracted
thither by similar reasons. In that drawing room young Broadus
could gratify his uncommon taste for and enjoyment of instrumental
and vocal music. He was quite a singer, and while, like others of
us, he had no great voice, he more than made up for the deficiency
by the thoroughness of his knowledge of the art of music and the
precision of his execution — qualities which, I afterwards found, be-
longed to all that he did in every department of effort.1

Mr. Broadus's health was not so good the last session.
He began to feel the severe strain of his exertions and
was neglecting his regular walks. A young friend of his
consented to walk with him every afternoon. Thus he
gained exercise and inspiration in the company of the
charming woman who was soon to become his wife.
Miss Harrison's sympathy and approbation buoyed him
during all this stress of work. She was thus able to bring
out the side of his nature that school life usually warps.

In the spring of this closing session Mr. Broadus ac-

1 " Religious Herald," March 21, 1895.

74 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

cepted a position to teach at Bremo, the home of General
Cocke, in Fluvanna. There was a cloud before him
during these months on account of his father's health,
which was gradually but surely failing. He had come to
the University to educate his boy and succeeded, but he
died June 27, 1850, two days before John was to deliver
his graduating address. As he stood by his father's bed-
side, he said : "I shall not make my graduating speech,
father.1' "Yes," said his father, "for I am dying."
Major Broadus's death caused widespread regret all over
the State, for he was a man of mark and of great per-
sonal worth and force of character. The speech was
afterwards published in the "Jefferson Monument Mag-
azine," for January, 1851, and created marked interest.
The subject was: "Human Society in its Relation to
Natural Theology." The address, a tribute to the power
of Doctor McGuffey over him, showed maturity and
vigor. There were six who received the degree of M. A,
on graduating day, June 29. John A. Broadus and Rich-
ard Davis were four-year men ; W. W. Henry and R. P.
Latham, three-year men ; Wm. LeRoy Broun and John T.
Points, two-year men. Three entered the ministry —
Broadus, Points, and Davis; one (Broun) became a pro-
fessor; two entered the law (Henry and Latham). Mr.
Broadus, of course, was not present. Dr. Gessner Har-
rison, chairman of the faculty, remarked in noting his ab-
sence, that the University had never turned out a better
scholar. One can only imagine the mingled emotions
with which young Broadus closed his scholastic career at
the University. Light and shadow were strangely mingled
on that day. Already large things were being said of him.
Hon. W. W. Henry says that, as he watched him at the
University, he came "to predict for him a great future."
Long years afterwards, Prof. F, H, Smith will call this
vouth the University of Virginia's "greatest alumnus."

CHAPTER VI

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA

Dreams, books, are each a world ; and books, we know,
Are a substantial world, both pure and good.

— Word&wortb.

LET no one think that Mr. Broadus had given up his
intention of preaching because he had accepted a
position as tutor in the delightful home of Gen. J. H.
Cocke (Bremo, in Fluvanna County). He was in no
hurry to assume the heavy responsibilities of the pastor-
ate. This school in the country offered a period of quiet
reflection and study to the overworked University gradu-
ate. General Cocke was a stanch friend of the Univer-
sity. It was this interest that attracted him to Mr.
Broadus.

GENERAL COCKE to J. A. B. :

BREMO, April 22, 1850 : Yours of the i6th inst was duly re-
ceived. My offer through Doctor McGuffey was made in reference
to the very small school now in my house, consisting of five schol-
ars and two day scholars from the neighborhood. . . If we can add
five more scholars as boarders, I would be willing to increase the
number to ten, and in that case I should allow you fifty dollars in
addition for each scholar over five. . . It may be proper here to re-
mark, in adding to the boarding pupils, I wish the school to be select.
I should be unwilling to take any pupil over the age of my two
grandsons, both of whom are now in their fourteenth year, unless
they could be vouched for as boys of more than ordinary good breed-
ing and good character.

BREMO, May 10, 1850 : In reply to your inquiry as to the com-
mencement of the school, the first Monday in October is the time
I shall prefer, if suitable to your convenience.

76 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Nobody can fail to be pleased with young Henson,1 he is a prod-
igy. I shall not fail to do all I can to get him into the University.

Sunday, July 14, 1850, Mr. Broadus preached for the
first time for the Charlottesville Baptist Church, his text
being Heb. n : 6. He had steadily resisted the tempta-
tion to spoil his University course by too much preaching.
How often in later years he poured this advice into ears
all too unwilling to heed. He always insisted that it was
far better to be thorough in one's educational foundation,
so as to have all the more to build on, than to rush head-
long through one's school days at breakneck speed. Let
his example be a lesson in self-restraint to every ambi-
tious young preacher who is lured into too many outside
activities. If a theological seminary had been accessible
to Mr. Broadus he would eagerly have sought its advan-
tages. He strongly felt the need of theological training
and for advice wrote to Mr. Scott, who had recently been
chaplain at the University, a minister of culture and
ability. Mr. Scott's letter shows what was then con-
sidered the theological outfit of a young minister.

REV. J. R. SCOTT to J. A. B. :

PORTLAND, ME., July 23, 1850: I am favorably impressed with
what you say of your arrangements for the coming year. You
will lose nothing by teaching, while your situation at General
Cocke's will afford you facilities for making many valuable ac-
quaintances, for quiet study, and for acquiring practical skill in
preaching. You will find it both pleasant and profitable to inter-
pose between the University and your future sphere of public activ-
ity, whatever and wheiever it may be, a period of retirement, in
which to digest your past acquisitions, observe the indications of
Providence, and lay your plans the more definitely and deeply for a
useful and honorable careen I could wish that after the expiration
of your engagement in Fluvanna, you might pass some time at a

1 P. S, Henson. Fluvanna was famous for its persimmons. Doctor Henson often
remarked that Fluvanna only raised persimmons and men, but they were men. Young
Henson was a " boy " preacher, but one who was wisely sent to school and gained an
education*

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 77

theological institution, but I am by no means so solicitous in your
case as I should be in that of one who was averse to study, or knew
not how 1o study progressively, or had lower aims.

You ask me to advise you with regard to books — "something
which will serve somewhat as a foundation for theological study."
Bearing in mind what you have I will do the best I can. I would not
be satisfied without at least enough of Hebrew to enable me to ap-
preciate the force of any criticism on the original text. Of course,
here, you will naturally look to Doctor Harrison for guidance. Doc-
tor McGuffey too, will doubtless take much pleasure in making you
many valuable suggestions on books in various departments. You
will find much reliable information in ** Stuart's Critical History and
Defense of the Old Testament Canon," and m " Kitto's Biblical
Cyclopaedia," the former costing about a dollar and a quarter and
the latter six or seven dollars. In theology, Knapp and Turrettin,
or any of the Genevan divines, go well together. These cost, I
suppose, some ten dollars. Neander is the prince of ecclesiastical
historians. Some of his biographies, such as his " Life of Christ,"
and "Life of Chrysostom," would interest and benefit you much,
although you must keep a good eye to his notions on inspiration.
Gieseler's " Church History " you will find valuable for its succinct-
ness, «. *., of the text, the notes being very full. Ten dollars might
be spent here to very good purpose. Robinson and Smith are, of
course, the Scripture geographers. By the by, you would do well to
take the " Btbliotheca Sacra" the back numbers of which also are
quite a thesaurus. Our own " Christian Review," I hope, is now
likely to be worth patronage. Three dollars a year, published by
Ballard & Colby, New York. Bloomfield's Greek Testament,
though very defective in its theology, is probably as good an au-
thority on the state of the Greek text as you will find. Four dollars.
You would do well to dip into the old English divines occasionally —
Howe, Owen, South, Jer. Taylor, Leighton, and Barrow. I need not
say make Butler a •oade mecum. Should you wish to settle your views
on the atonement, read Symington and Jenkyn, and you will prob-
ably take a mean between them, and hit about right. You will de-
rive much benefit from filling up leisure hours with reading Robert
Hall, Foster, Wayland's " University Sermons," and William R. Wil-
liams' " Miscellanies." But I am only telling you what you know
already, as well as I do. Should any suggestion in relation to your
course occur to me hereafter, I should be happy to communicate it to
you, if you will pardon the meagreness of the above.

You know my opinion of your lady-love. At least, I think I have

78 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

expressed it to you. If I never did, I will now say that I consider
Maria Harrison as one of the very choicest young ladies with whom
I had the happiness of becoming acquainted in Virginia. She is no
meie toy. With all of feminine delicacy that could be asked, she is
rich in substantial excellencies. She will never play the Uue with you,
and yet she will not tolerate you in mental rust-gathering. I do in-
deed congratulate you, and (you may whisper it in her ear) her too.

GENERAL COCKE to J. A. B. :

BREMO, August i, 1850: I am glad to learn your willingness to
preach to our people at our chapel. Christians in our country have
an awful account to settle for their neglect of the slave population.
I have been long desirous to do what I could in that way ; would to
God I could say my skirts were clear.

W. LE ROY BROUN to J. A. B :

MlDDLEBURG, VA , August 6, 1850: There is also another sub-
ject in which I imagine you feel some interest, and in regard to
which I would like to have your advice. The question is as to the
continuation of the magazine next session. Probably you are not
aware that an effort will be made at the beginning of the session to
discontinue its further publication, and indeed, should the students
order its continuance great difficulty will be experienced in getting
subscribers. As many of the old students will refuse, and from
their influence many of the new ones will fear to enter upon it, I
am in favor of relinquishing the attempt, unless we can get good
assurances that each number will be filled with good contributions.

For the good of the University we must abandon the idea of rais-
ing a monument to Jefferson, unless we effect a change.

What plan do you propose? I wish you could be with us all for a
while next year, and then we might hope for its success.

Probably with the aid of a little " wire working," etc., we may get
the current in its favor at the very beginning, and then, with a few
good backers, failure will be impossible.

But this is certain, we must give up the ship unless we see clearly
that we will far surpass everything of the kind published in the
North.

In August we find Mr. Broadus back in Culpeper visit-
ing his brother, J. M. Broadus, his sister, Mrs* Bickers,
and other friends, and preaching at Culpeper Courf

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 79

House, apparently in a revival. On Monday (second
Monday), August 12, a presbytery assembled at New
Salem for the ordination of Mr. Broadus ; the church had
called for his ordination at the July meeting. The sermon
was preached by Rev. H. W. Dodge. Rev. Barnett
Grimsley and Rev. Cumberland George assisted in the
exercises. J. M. Broadus acted as clerk.

GENERAL COCKE to J. A. B. :

BREMO, Aug. 23, 1850 : I am authorized by the Rev. Mr. Moore,
pastor of the Baptist church at the Fork Union in this vicinity, and
the Rev. Mr. Tyree, of Powhattan, to invite you to come over and
assist them in the winding up of a meeting of ten days and still
continued with increasing interest.

The last of August Mr. Broadus attended the Shiloh
Association, which met this year at Bethel Church, four
or five miles from the house of Mr. George Ficklin, where
a few weeks before Rev. James P. Boyce and his bride
had been visiting.

If Boyce had remained a little longer, he would have attended also,
for he was fond of Associations, and two who were destined to toil
so long together would have met years before they did meet. Haw-
thorne has a quaint story to illustrate how things come very near
happening, and do not happen.1

Mr. Broadus "was frightened by being asked to
preach" before a Baptist Association, and apparently
declined.

J. A. B. to MISS MARIA HARRISON :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Sept. 9, 1850 : . . Sunday morning
I heaid Mr. Bennett 3 for the first time— very good sermon. He had
to leave, and asked me to preach for him in the evening. I obeyed
and did it. Had a full house, indeed crowded, but I fear they won't
continue to turn out so for me, for I spoke almost an hour, I reckon,

„* Broadus1 s " Memoir of James P. Boyce/' footnote, p. 8x
* Methodist minister in Char lottesvi lie.

80 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

and am afraid there seemed to be a great deal of youthful extrava-
gance in what was said. However, let it go. Your pa was there
in the morning and went down with me at night. . .

Will you speak of me and of my regard to your dear grandmamma
and to all the family. I have no disposition to make speeches about
it, but I bore away with me many pleasant feelings and I cherish
now many delightful recollections of Harnsonburg and its citizens,
and especially those whom I loved before as your friends, but love
still more now as my own. Do not forget my warm regards to Mr.
Stevens and to your Aunt Margaret. . .

May God bless you, dearest Maria, and help you to trust m him,
and to believe in Jesus, the Saviour of the lost. May he piotect you
in all your goings — may he grant to you and to me what is most to
be desired, a life of active usefulness, a death of Christian peace, a
final admittance to his own presence in heaven.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Sept. n, 1850 : I have been succeed-
ing so beautifully, since Monday afternoon, when I wrote, in doing
nothing, that I want you to join me in rejoicing. To be sure, I had
to go to town and to write letters, to visit the Misses McGuffey last

night, and spend several hours with Mr. McG this morning in

conference about my Bible teaching. Then I have studied the Hebrew
a little, looked through Mr. Davies' book on mathematics, studied
several chapters of Chalmers' Theology, read something in the
"Southern Literary Messenger" and the newspapers, and made
some little progress in drawing off and settling accounts. It takes
some time too for the Greek Testament and other reading, of
course. . .

Don't forget to know those Hebrew verbs. D'ye hear?

BREMO, Monday afternoon, Oct. 7, 1850: We reached Bremo
at 3.30 P. M. It is certainly a pretty and pleasant place. I have no
" talent" for describing, and so I will not attempt it. I was pleased
though, and am pleased, with the appearance and arrangement of
the plai.e, the house, and the household. Of course I do not expect
to be free from annoyances, but I have a firm belief, yes, a very de-
lightful assurance, that you and I will be able to spend the months
of our abode here with as little trouble as we have any right to
expect.

Monday Night, nine o'clock.

I have spoken of the matter to the " Gen'l," and he agrees with
great readiness to what is proposed. " A very reasonable proposi-

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 8 1

tion," etc. "A very suitable plan," etc. " There could most as-
suredly be no objection, on such an occasion, and he would take
great pleasure in doing anything he can to aid in the execution of
the plan." So the matter is settled. . .

Well, but I haven't told you yet whether I am pleased with the
idea. I said the " Gen'l " agreed to it, but didn't say that I did. . .

Well, no such thing was ever heard of as a man's being unwill-
ing to take the most pleasant, most delightful trip, after his mar-;-
riage ; and now what a splendid opportunity for me to distinguish
myself, to become charmingly notorious for eccentricity ! On the
other hand though, so I reason : It will be very pleasant to ripen off
my green anyway — especially in a " Northern city " — and most of

all, in company with . Again, it would be delightful to hear

Jenny Lind, even without you — it will be more delightful to be with
you and not hear the Lind — and, by every principle of good reasoning,
good sense, and good taste, it is, it would be, it must be most de-
lightful to hear the song standing by her side who first gave me
some faint idea of the spirit-moving power that dwells in music. . .

Commence my school this morning— nine of the boys in ; there
will most probably be fourteen. Certain it is, I have to work hard.
Even now, I must cease writing to my lady love, and look over les-
sons for to-morrow.

Preached yesterday twice— in the afternoon at Bremo chapel.
The people listened, whether with pleasure and profit I cannot know.
I think I shall not undertake the regular service at the chapel. Am
unwilling to turn out the present incumbent.

BREMO, Oct. 14, 1850 : Another application to-day for a pupil. I
did not see the lad myself (he came to see about it), but he told
" Gen'l " he would go home and learn what his father thought
best. I'll take in several more if they will board in the neighbor-
hood, for (did you know it ?) I calculate upon having after a while
a little occasional aid in managing some of the beginners from a
highly competent friend of mine. . .

Now just please to understand me, I am not arranging to make you
a country schoolmaster's assistant,— no, no, it is bad enough to be
a country schoolmaster's wife,— I have only been thinking that you
might sometimes, when it was convenient and if it was agreeable to
you, go in, especially if I happened to be pressed, and hear little
Moseley or someof the Memoiiter Latin Grammar Lessons, and so on.

BREMO, Friday, Oct. 18, 1850: I find it difficult to " arrange the
lectures," very difficult. Just think, out of twelve boys I have five

F

82 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

different classes in Latin, two in Greek, two in geometry, four in
algebra, one boy studying arithmetic ; then there is the thirteenth,
little Moseley, who is of course by himself altogether. We have
made a little beginning in the study of Scripture history ; I divide
all the boys into two classes, each reciting every other day— the
smaller ones are to read some of the narratives, as the story of
Abraham, of Jacob, of Joseph, of Moses, of Samson, etc., the other
class are reading the history connectedly, with some little atten-
tion to chronology. I do not want to try to teach them theology
for more reasons than because I don't know it myself. Nor do
I seek to have them study the Bible particularly—it is only to in-
duce them to r&ad it with interest and attention and to give them
such helps in understanding and remembering the history (for it is
as sacred history that we read it) as my information and time will
permit. I am glad to find that the boys take a good deal of interest
in the reading, though I have not been able to get more than five
or ten minutes to talk with them about what they have been
reading. I am sure it can be made interesting. I wish much that
I knew more about it, and had more time.

There are a number of things which ought to be going on in
school, that I have not been able yet to attend to at all. Many of
the boys ought to read for exercise— all ought to wr tit— some to spell.
And then, geography, modern and ancient, and I know not how
many more things. When and how I am to attend to all these is
more than I can at present exactly see through, but I mean to toil
on. Many a time I have had to encounter difficulties, and not
always without success ; and I'll labor, yes, labor on. It is good for
us sometimes to* be troubled, since it drives us to the Great Com-
forter ; for it is good to feel our weakness and insufficiency, and then
go to the Source of Strength.

I am prone to impatience, and I see that I shall have many a bat-
tle to fight with myself— may I always be conqueror.

About the piano, I am glad of course. I had made up my mind
to get one, although my scanty resources might not very well afford

it. General C would not dream of being unwilling for you to

bring a piano with you— I mean, to bring one here of your own. It
was only the idea of my getting one that I thought possibly he
might dislike. As to the flute, I shall not be apt (at least not often)
to spoil your music in that way ; but I want to overcome the foolish
feeling which makes me unwilling to blow at all, because I know I
cannot do it well ; for the same feeling applied to other things would
stop all my singing, preaching, teaching, and everything else. In-

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 83

deed, I think of only one thing I am able to do well, and that is—
\<we you.

BREMO, Nov. 5, 1850 : It is a pleasant thought to me, Maria dear-
est, that before there would be occasion for me to write to you again,
you will have become fully my own. It has been a most delightful
correspondence I have had with you this long time, as my affianced.
Welcome, welcome, and precious have been those frequent messen-
gers from my beloved one. My heart bounds at the very remem
brance of the delight with which I have so often gazed upon the
well-known characters in which you trace my name. The little mis-
sives of last session, that long letter from Harrisonburg, and all the
precious ones since I left the University, all together form a rich
treasure, that will be preserved while I have power to preserve any-
thing. . .

It seems to me I love you more and more, dear Maria, as that day
approaches, and I have an idea that is even so with you. Oh, that
your hopes of enjoyment in the society of the man you love may
not be disappointed ! Sometimes I cannot but fear, yet such times
come not often—you were made to be loved, I will love you, you
will be happy.

The wedding took place at Dr. Harrison's house, Nov.
13, 1850. On the following day the happy couple set
out for Philadelphia to visit the bride's grandfather, Mr.
Tucker. The Academy of Design gave Mr. Broadus his
first opportunity for studying fine pictures and statues.
He always found keen delight thereafter in art. They
returned by Richmond and took the canal boat up the
James to Seven Islands and thence to Bremo.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B.

CULPEPER, Nov. 19, 1850: I have authority enough to justify
me in presenting to " John and his Lady " such lively congratula-
tions, as one having a high appreciation of the connection you have
formed might be expected to offer. You have reached the highest
point of human felicity— henceforth, not a wave, etc., etc. Is that
the idea? No, you are too wise for that.

GESSNER HARRISON to MR. TUTWILER.
UNIVERSITY OF VA., Dec. 23, 1850 : Maria has come to-day to

84 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

pay us a visit from her new home at General Cocke's, where her
husband, Rev. John A. Broadus, teaches a school. She was mar-
ried a little more than a month ago to a young Baptist minister who
graduated here last June as M, A., and who is a young man of
much promise. He has no fortune, but has an uncommonly excellent
education and fine abilities. I think he is well calculated to make
her happy, and we have willingly committed her to the care of the
same Providence which has guided us hitherto.

Dr. Geo. B. Taylor kindly allows us to quote from the
manuscript of his sketch of Dr. Broadus for the new
volume of "Virginia Baptist Ministers," by his son, Dr.
Geo. Braxton Taylor :

Well do I remember my first meeting with Broadus. We were both
teaching in Fluvanna County, Va., he a private school at General
Cocke's place, Bremo, and I, just graduated from Richmond College,
"an old field school " in the Fork neighborhood. We met in 1850 at
the James River Association, Cumberland Co. [Booker's meeting-
house.] I then for the first time heard him preach, his text being,
" O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you ? " and a very witch-
ing sermon it was. But no less a spell did he cast over me by his
manner and conversation. He accepted me at once as a friend, per-
haps for my father's sake, as I loved him at once for his own. He
had come on horseback and I in a buggy with Mr. Hen son, the
father of Dr. P. S. Henson, who, seeing how agreeable it would be
to us both, very amiably gave his seat m the carriage to Broadus
and took the horse, which was rather a hard trotter. That long
ride together, which however seemed short, being so pleasant,
cemented our friendship more than brief interviews during a series
of years could have done. It is certain that from that date he was
an elder brother to me and treated me with such frank kindness that
I always felt perfectly free in my intercourse with him. His six
years of seniority, and more than proportional attainments, inspired
my respect ; but all fear was cast out by perfect love, while from that
time to our last meeting in that autumn of 1887 he called me George
in a way that was music to my soul. One little incident of that day
is worth mentioning. We stopped by a wayside spring to drink,
and when I wished to serve him first, he made a mock bow nearly
to the ground, accompanying it with some playful protest before ac-
cepting the gourd. Not more refreshing was the water of that spring
than the gayety which naturally welled up in him whenever he was

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 8$

with intimate friends and the pressure of work and care for the mo-
ment removed. This capacity of his, so pleasant to all who en-
joyed his companionship, was invaluable to himself as relieving the
strain on life's silver cord.

During his stay in Fluvanna he preached several times at the
Brick Church, people gathering from far and near to hear him, and
as the pastorate was vacant he was invited to it. It was a position
pleasant and important, but one of the brethren shrewder than the
rest saw that the brilliant young preacher was destined to a loftier
flight and could not under any circumstances have long remained
there.

In February Mr. Broadus receives official notice of his
election to the professorship of ancient languages in
Georgetown College, Kentucky.

WM. F. BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

SHELBYVILLE, KY., February 22, 1851 : This morning I received
a letter from one of the Board of Trustees of Georgetown College
informing me that you had been unanimously elected to fill the chair
of ancient languages in said college. You will, of course, be officially
informed of your appointment ; but such is my anxiety for you to
accept, that I cannot forbear to write you a private note on the sub-
ject. Though I am a member of the Board, I did not attend last
week, because I knew that you would be nominated, and delicacy
dictated that I should have no hand in your election.

And now, my good boy, let your uncle advise you to accept this
call. The college stands in the front rank of Western institutions,
with an able president, and a Board of Trustees second to none.
Our denomination is strong and wealthy in Kentucky, and the col-
lege is rapidly rising in their affections.

GESSNER HARRISON to J. A. B. :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, March 3, 1851 : I received your letter
mentioning your Georgetown College appointment, yesterday, and
have looked at the subject as carefully and with as much fairness as
I could. But I ought to say that I am hardly capable of weighing
justly the advantages and disadvantages of such an appointment. . .
I would seriously doubt if this be such an offer as you ought to
accept.

r. It blocks up your way to the ministry. If you had duties to en-
gage your time and talents, your theological studies must be aban-

86 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

doned. If your duties did not thus engage you they cannot be
worthy of your acceptance. And either way, you cannot expect to
preach and fairly go through the routine of college duty.

2. Although the country in which Georgetown College is situated
is cheap to live in, judging from the charge for board, your salary of
one thousand dollars would afford you little more than a bare sup-
port, after buying books, etc.

3. You can't divine beforehand the disappointments of being a
member of a faculty of which the members have no individuality,
the president being the unit that stands with the public ( and with the
trustees) for the fractions which alone the other professors represent.
This supposing the president to be a fair-minded gentleman. The
presumption may be either way. This objection is not weaker but
stronger for all sectarian colleges In these a professor is limited for
his reputation to his own sect— not quite, but mainly, and as the sum
total of it is necessarily smaller it is more easily absorbed by the
president for some pre-existing reputation with his sect, commonly
derived from popular preaching talent, rather than from his scientific
or literary attainments.

4. But even were this untrue, what field is open to a man of higher
aim where the course of study is so ordered by the Board of Trustees
(or say the president) that the professor must be superficial, more or
less, or derange the system ? He has one resource alone, /. *., to
publish books.

5. Lastly, you can do better if you choose to teach for a time,
within the borders of Virginia, and retain your independence. And
then, when you choose you can enter, Providence opening the way,
upon your chosen calling, that of the ministry.

There are my views, set down hurriedly for lack of time, but well
considered and decided. I wish you to attach no weight to them be-
yond what they carry with them. If you think differently, and you
choose to accept, I would still suggest that you should reserve to
yourself the right to enter the ministry so soon as you think that
you ought.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B, :

CULPEPER, March 5, 1851 : I have no difficulty in deciding that
you would best accept the Georgetown offer, if (and I believe it is so)
the college there is a respectable affair, and if you can venture now
upon a professorship that necessarily includes, as I suppose ancient
languages in Georgetown College does, the Hebrew. I have always
concurred with Doctor McGuffey in the opinion that you are to spend

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 87

your life as a college man. . . It occurs to me that you may have
difficulty in deciding to abandon the plans you may have formed for
being a learner yet longer— theology, etc. Well, is not President
Reynolds a theologian? a biblical scholai of considerable eminence?
And might not contact with him be as profitable to you as any other
position you can hope soon to have? And would not your opportu-
nity for extra study be as good then as it is now ? I cannot suppose
that the professor of ancient languages in Georgetown College
must necessarily give up his theological studies any more than the
professor of everything in Bremo College. I confess that, if in
order to accept this plan you must necessarily turn your back upon
the ministry, my decision might be very different, but I will not think
that any such necessity exists.

DR. W. H. McGUFFEY to J. A. B. :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, March 13, 1851 : Doctor Harrison in-
forms me that you hold under advisement an appointment from
Kentucky. Allow me to hint (without intending to obtrude advice)
two or three things in favor of your accepting the place offered :

1. It would almost certainly lead to your transfer (as soon as that
would be worth your attention) to a place in the theological sem-
inary at Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati, the best endowed and
most desirable institution of your church in the United States.

2. It would be no bar, but the contrary, to your receiving an ap-
pointment in the University of Virginia (when a vacancy occurs)
that you were (and had been) a professor in a college, etc.

3. Should neither of these result, nor anything of this sort, a so-
journ of three or four years in the West would not be of any detri-
ment to you (nor your good lady, I ask her pardon), and we can
bring you back and reintroduce you to the Old Dominion as chap-
lain to the University of Virginia when it is the turn of the Baptist
Church to furnish the incumbent.

What was he to do ? The questions involved were
larger than the mere removal to another State, or whether
it would be an agreeable position. His whole career in
large measure hung upon the decision. Should he com-
mit himself to teaching ? He had decided to preach and
was steadily preparing himself for that high mission. His
work in Fluvann-a was only designed to be temporary.

88 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

His friend Whitescarver writes : " It is what I have been
fearing and what I have been expecting." Finally he
sees his duty and declines.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

CULPEPER, March 28, 1851 : Your letter received this morning,
I confess rather surprises me. I expected you to accept the George-
town appointment, confidently expected it, and have told many per-
sons that you would, in all probability, leave Virginia next fall.
Well, perhaps there is wisdom in your decision, but if there is, I
acknowledge my judgment is at fault. So far as I am personally
concerned, I am glad that you are (I feel so) not so far from me. . .

As to the additional d I have but little to say, further than that /
shall probably never adopt it. Certainly I shall not, if it is to be
considered an abandonment of my father's name. That name is hon-
orable enough for me, and more sacred than any other. I did make
the change once, and pursued it for several years, but afterwards
got back. Father's positive refusal to yield to Uncle William's sug-
gestions, is, now that he has passed away, a law that I cannot be
persuaded to violate.

WAI. F. BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

FRANKFORT, KY., March 30, 1851 : Yesterday I was in George-
town— saw Doctor Reynolds and several members of our Board.
They had just received your letter, declining the appointment. Oh,
how disappointed was I, they, all of us. It was agreed that I should
visit you during my trip to Virginia which I am to enter upon in a
few days, and urge your acceptance. I think I can convince you
that you ought to come, and then I take it for granted that you will
come. Nothing will be done here towards filling the vacancy until I
see you, and the Board hears from me.

I suppose you have heard of my house burning. I lost nearly all
my earthly substance. But I am in good spirits. I think I shall teach
no more ; at any rate not now. But I expect to continue in Kentucky,
though I may not. Excuse haste. I will soon see you face to face.
Prepare for a siege. I am commissioned to get you to Kentucky, and
cannot easily be turned aside from it. My love to my niece. I wish
she may be ready to aid me in my effort to bring you here.

Mr. Broadus would not decide great questions off-
hand. He took time to see a subject in all its bearings

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 89

so that he could reach a wise decision and one that would
stand.

ANDREW BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

SHELBY CO., KY,, March 3, 1851 : I am sorry that I am so little
qualified to reply to your inquiry as to "how far Calvinism should
be carried." I know but little about " isms," and desire to " know
nothing among the people but Jesus Christ and him crucified." My
plan has been, since I have been in the ministry, to avoid as much
as possible, all controversy on religious subjects. In this course, I
have enjoyed, no doubt, far more peace of mind than I should have
done had I been a controversialist. It is a point well settled in my
mind that God always acts in accordance with an eternal purpose,
else how can many portions of his word be reconciled? I am also
well convinced that Christ and the apostles, in their appeals to man-
kind, recognized no impediment in the way of any, but called upon
*' all men everywhere to repent." Now because I cannot fathom
the mystery connected with God's sovereignty and man's accounta-
bility, I must not run into fatalism, as some do ; but the safe plan,
in my judgment, is that of Christ and his apostles, alluded to above.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

CULPEPER, Feb. 24, 1851 : As to preaching, could you not give
the colored people the same sermon that you put upon Fork Union ?
Our ablest and most popular ministers do that, and why not you ?
Perhaps, though, there is not distance enough between the localities.
That is all important. My opinion has always been that you ought
to preach as frequently as possible. The habit of speaking is a great
acquisition. Your idea is that the habit formed must be a good and
a chaste one. Well, maybe so. You ought to know.

MRS. LOUISA TUCKER to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

PHILADELPHIA, March 17, 1851 : A letter from your mother, this
morning, mentioned you, Mr. B. and George, and she told us of Mr.
Bioadus' appointment in Kentucky. I had no doubt, but his talents
would give him a name abroad, as well as at home, but I hope when
he leaves Virginia (if he ever should) that you will come nearer to
us. . .

Give my love to Mr. B., for I must love those who love you and
you love so much, I hope before long he will bring you to see us,
and stay more than four days ; it may be, that he will be coming to

QO LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

publish some valuable treatise on teaching, say some literary work ;
there I go again at my old trade of castle building. . .

Did you ever ask Aunt Caroline to send you the pattern you prom-
ised me of your wedding caps. I have a desire to get it, both the
shape of the cap and the bobbin-work pattern. .

F. H. SMITH to J, A. B. :

UNIVERSITY, March 31, 1851: Your last letter contained some
instructions with regaid to the publication of the essay which I en-
deavored to attend to. I saw Doctor Harrison in reference to the
preliminary note and the result was the simple introduction you saw
at the bottom of the page. I trust that the number of copies sent
was sufficient. There are some on hand yet (of the extra copies),
and if you wish it, 1 will enclose you more. As to the reception of
the essay here, it would be a work of supererogation to say any-
thing. The magazine has been supported very well indeed for sev-
eral months. There has been no dearth of contributions as in the
beginning of the session. The impression is that it will be discon-
tinued at the conclusion of the present session and it will certainly
require all the profits of last year to pay the expenses of the present.
In view of this and the fact that the legislature has refused to con-
sider the motion to erect the statue, the University will for many
years probably be without any such memorial of her founder. For
my own part, I consider the institution itself to be his most glorious
monument.

I heard a short time since that you had been offered, or elected to
a professorship in a college in Kentucky. Mrs. Harrison of course
was strongly opposed to a proceeding which would remove you so
far from home, and indeed all seemed gratified when intelligence
came that you had declined the invitation. By the way, did you
hear how near you came (unknown to yourself) to a call from one
of the Richmond churches ? Bob Coleman told me that on occasion
of a vacancy there he had taken the liberty to suggest your name to
the authorities. From what he said I apprehend it only needed a
personal acquaintance to have turned the scale of a doubtful vote.

I suppose that you have by this time been thoroughly indoctri-
nated into all the quiet gravity and domesticity of a genuine bene-
dict. If theie is any man within the limits of my acquaintance
whom circumstances seem to compel to be happy, that one is your-
self. I wish you would not forget your experience for 1 hope to re-
ceive a great deal of good advice from you, not many years hence.
A letter from home, a few days ago, informed me that their wish.

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 9!

was that I should not enter active life for seven years, or more, yet.
I thought to myself that there would be a disappointment either of
their expectations or mine, not of the latter if I can help it. I expect
ta live oyster-fashion for the greater part of this week. Mary (the
prefix Miss is too formal and cold) has gone into the country to stay
a few days, in what direction she was unable to inform me, except
that the initial movement was up the Hamilton road.

I am sustaining at present here a kind of shuttlecock character,
knocked about between old Professor Schele, Doctors Rogers and
McGuffey, while I see looming up in the dark distance an additional
force in the shape of the A. M. Reviewers. Oh, how I sigh for
those good old days of Virgil's pastorals when there was nothing to
do but "recumb" under the shade of a "patulus" beech, sing
songs, and attend to sheep. Glorious old Tityrus, disturbed by no
44 corkings " and paying for no midnight oil ! Mixed math, is get-
ting beautifully indefinite about this time. Some of us are decidedly

moonstruck, a misfortune due to P 7s blunder of placing the lunar

theory first Col. Croset happening to be in company with Mr.
Courtenay, the other day, inquired what his mixed class was doing,
and on being told that they were engaged in discussing some knotty
points on the planetary theory, rolled up his eyes, raised his hands,
and gave a most doleful whistle.

JAMES THOMAS, JR., to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, May 22, 1851 : I have not the pleasure of a personal
acquaintance with you. Though I feel so, being intimate with your
friends and relations, and especially on long and intimate terms of
friendship with your revered father. . .

My main object now in writing is to induce you to come down
to our anniversaries, which commence to-morrow week. We desire
much to see you here and I trust you will feel it your duty to come
and begin at once to throw all your influence in these great entei-
prises. It would give myself and family great delight if you would
come and bring Mrs. Broadus with you. Just come to my house.
It would take you but a few days.

Do come. Doctor Fuller will be at the house on Sunday next
and I hope will stay until after the meetings, though I have but little
hope of it.

At the meeting in Richmond, in 1851, appeared a young man,
who, along with two other brethren, gave in their names as dele-
gates from Fork Union Church in Fluvanna County. Enough was

92 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

known of the young man to lead the committee on church services
to appoint him to preach. This he did, and in a day or two returned
to his school in Fluvanna County. His name was John A. Broadus.1

He was assigned to preach at the First Church, and his
text was i Cor. I : 23. Mr. James Thomas was so much
interested in his young friend after this visit and sermon
that he requested him to order a large lot of books for
himself at his expense. (The bill amounted to eighty
dollars.)

In a memorial address on Doctor Broadus, Professor
C. L. Cocke says of this occasion :

He was appointed to preach on Sunday night in the First Baptist
Church. Before the hour had arrived, that spacious auditorium was
crowded to overflowing. Expectation was on tiptoe, and most in-
tense. Every eye was turned toward the aisles to catch a glimpse
of the young preacher. He was so youthful in appearance, so frail,
so diminutive, an old brother sitting by whispered in my ear, " He
will fail." Soon with slow and graceful step he approached the
desk and announced the opening hymn. In clear tones, with no
tremor of voice or manner, he read the several stanzas and took his
seat. The old brother whispered again, " He will not fail." And
fail he did not ; he fully sustained his early fame. His sermon was
equal to the demands of the great and trying occasion, — no gush, no
attempt at mannerism or display of learning ; it was the pure gospel
in simple, earnest, well-chosen diction, and impressively delivered.
From that hour to the day of his death, Doctor Broadus always met
occasions. He never allowed his reputation to outrun his ability or
his merit.

JAMES THOMAS, JR., to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, June 5, 1851 : We had a Mass Education Meeting
on Monday night at which it was proposed to raise an endowment of
one hundred thousand dollars for Richmond College. Some twelve or
thirteen thousand dollars was subscribed on the spot, a very small
number of our brethren either from town or county present. From
the spirit prevailing I trust good will come. Brother Poindexter was
appointed agent. I now have strong hopes that our denomination

1 " Religious Herald," Nov., 1896.

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA 9$

in the State will rally around this college and make it what it ought
to be— one of the first, worthy of the denomination and of the State.

Another result of this Richmond visit was an invitation
to be pastoral supply of the Grace Street Church, Rich-
mond, during the absence of the pastor, Dr. E. Kings-
ford, in Europe. He was to receive the regular salary,
but he declined this unanimous call.

MRS. E. L. C. HARRISON to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

UNIVERSITY, June 19, 1851 : I have heard from Mary Spencer
the most gratifying accounts of the impression made by Mr. Broadus
in Richmond. Cousin F. Gwathmey wrote she heard he preached
a very fine sermon, and Mr. Smith said he heard a letter read from
a lady in Richmond who said, " She had heard of Mr. Broadus, but
he far surpassed her expectations." The general impression seems

to be that Mr. B had accepted a call to Richmond, Cousin F

seemed very happy in the prospect of having her " sweet little
cousin." Aunt Otwayanna said she was silent as long as she sup-
posed there was any chance of Mr. B 's accepting a call to

Lynchburg, but hearing he had declined coming, she very openly
expressed her opinion as to its being a very wise decision on his
part.

The church in Lynchburg made renewed efforts to get
Mr. Broadus as pastor. Finally, August 25, a formal and
unanimous call was extended him to succeed J. W. M.
Williams, D. D., who had gone to Baltimore. At the
same time the Petersburg Church wanted him. The
church at Scottsville called him. He was wanted at
Huntington and Rockdale, Md. The Fork Union Church
now gave him a call. He was asked to open a school
near Charlottesville. His perplexities multiplied.

MISS MARY STUART HARRISON to MARIA C. BROADUS :

WINCHESTER, Aug. 12, 1851: Has Mr. Broadus determined upon
taking the tutorship? I do hope that he has, for unconsciously I
have been thinking, ever since I heard of it, that we should have
you both with us next year. I suppose, however, that he finds it

94 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

very difficult to decide upon what appointment to take, as he has
so many to choose between.

The position of assistant instructor had been created
and was offered to Mr. Broadus and to Mr. Smith, the
one in ancient languages, the other in mathematics.

F. H. SMITH to J. A. B. :

LEESBURG, Sept. 4, 1851 : Mary wrote to me (you must know
that we correspond) a few days since, informing me among other
things that you had not decided upon any occupation for the ensuing
year, and would probably remain at the University. I presume that
you will of course accept the situation in the school of Ancient Lan-
guages if you remain. I am heartily glad that there is any prospect
of your remaining with us. My position will be quite lonely if I
have no acquaintance or friend occupying either of the other places
•—and this, though a very selfish reason, would operate to make me
happy to have you with us. Besides, I want you to resume your
old station as superintendent ; and there is also the prayer meeting,
which stands in need of some reanimation, and which, I hope, will
take a better position the coming year.

He was likewise called to the pastorate of the Char-
lottesville Baptist Church. Now he began to see his
way. The pastorate of Charlottesville could be taken
in connection with the work in the University. He could
thus be both preacher and teacher. So he accepted both
positions.

JOHN A. BROADUS to the CHARLOTTESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH :
UNIVERSITY OF VA., Sept. 5, 1851 : Dear Brethren: I have re-
ceived your letter of the 5th inst. informing me of my election as
pastor of the Charlottesville Baptist Church, and also an extract
made by the clerk from the minutes of a called meeting held Sept
5, with reference to the subject. As the arrangement proposed is
somewhat peculiar it is exceedingly desirable to both the Church and
myself that there be no ground left for misapprehension in any re-
spect. I think it is proper for me to state as distinctly as possible
what I understand to be the duties expected to be performed, they
being in fact also, the extent of labor which I felt it at all practicable
for me to undertake.

A YEAR IN FLUVANNA Q5

1. I am to preach every Sabbath morning.

2. On Sabbath evening to attend a prayer meeting and take such
part in the conduct of it as is customary for a pastor to take in
prayer meetings held by the church, making any remarks, and giv-
ing any aid in general towards rendering the meeting interesting
which I may find consistent with my other engagements and duties.

3. As to visiting and the kindred pastoral duties, I am wholly ex-
empted from them as a regular duty. I will visit among the mem-
bers, especially the poor and the sick, to whatever extent I may find
it in my power. With this understanding of the proposition, 1 am
disposed to become the pastor of your church. I trust that I do this
with something of a proper spirit. I pray and earnestly beg that all
the brethren will continually unite with me in praying that the con-
nection may tend to our mutual edification and enjoyment, and to
the promotion of religion among the people. I shall be grateful if
this letter be entered among the minutes of the church.

His salary as pastor was five hundred dollars. He had
preached fifty -seven times before he undertook the Char-
lottesville work.

MISS MARY STUART HARRISON to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

HARRISONBURG, Sept. 10, 1851 : I am truly delighted to hear
that Mr. Broadus has at last determined to remain with us next ses-
sion, although with you I have had my doubts as to whether it were
the best thing for him ; but as his decision is made, you know all
things are for the best, and we can certainly enjoy each other's
society more than under any other circumstances* I hope that I will
be there to hear his first sermon in Charlottesville. What is the
prospect for the new Baptist church which they were to build?

CHAPTER VII
CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY

Enflamed with the study of learning and the admiration of virtue ;
stirred up with high hopes of living to be brave men and worthy
patriots, dear to God, and famous to all ages.

— Milton

MR. BROADUS was now pastor of the church that
he had declined while a student, and was teach-
ing in the great University whose walls he had so re-
cently left. It was coming back home.

During the year in Fluvanna he had been learning by
teaching and preaching. As he began, so he went on,
so he closed his career — learning, teaching, preaching.
It may be worth noting that the very year that John A.
Broadus entered upon his severe labors, James P. Boyce,
just from Princeton, became pastor at Columbia, South
Carolina; Wm. Williams, recently from Harvard College,
assumed pastoral work in Alabama ; and Basil Manly,
after Newton and Princeton and a pastorate in Alabama,
came to Richmond as pastor of the First Church. But
the lines of meeting for these four were years ahead.

Mr. Broadus took up heroically his double burden at
Charlottesville and the University. He had not antici-
pated an easy time. He knew full well the University
standards of work. Gessner Harrison was still there. He
had his own high ideals of preaching. His audiences
would be composed of the varied classes of a good-sized
town, besides the University circles who would be some-
what under his influence. With his aspiring nature he
could be inferior in neither pulpit nor teacher's chair.
We find him still working vigorously at Knapp, Tur-

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 97

rettin, Dwight, and Andrew Fuller. He had undertaken
an enormous amount of work and his friends were solici-
tous about his health.

DR. W. H. HARRISON to J. A. B. :

WIGWAM, Jan. 3, 1852 : Will you excuse a little impertinence,
perhaps a great presumption? I had the pleasure last summer at
Bremo, of spending a brief time with you, long enough, however,
to interest me greatly m you, for I saw that God had committed to
you great talents with the promise of rare usefulness, and I feared
that unless you could be induced to change your habits and allow
yourself more exercise and more recreation that the cistern would
soon be broken and the jewel which he had chosen change its cas-
ket. It was this fear which prompted a conversation which I then
held with you ; it is the^ same fear which now emboldens me to
trespass upon your patience and the more earnestly because I know
that your duties have been greatly increased, and I learn from my
friend Gresham that your application is constant and your health
manifestly failing. I would earnestly entreat you, dear brother, to
" pause and think before you farther go." Think of the noble
spirits who have gone before you, who by the course you are now
pursuing, shortened their stay on earth and were cut off in the dawn
of usefulness. Sydney, Kirke White, Andrew Nichol, Cowper,
etc., all the victims of over-study and continual neglect or transgres-
sion of God's physical laws. And you, dear sir, will not be an ex-
ception. Your course must be short unless you change it speedily.
And m this day of daily development, why should you wish to
shorten your stay on earth, why leave so early the vineyard in
which the Master had so much work for you? God give you wis-
dom and all of us grace to live according to all of his laws, natural
as well as revealed, physical as well as moral. . .

P. S. And you preached lately from the text " Rejoice always."
Glorious text ! Would that I could have heard you !

DR. JAMES B. TAYLOR to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 29, 1852 : Please accept my thanks for
your letter of the 26th inst It evinces an interest m the cause of
missions such as inspires the hope that you may be honored of God
in its promotion. It is a melancholy fact that few of our brethren In
the ministry are desirous of acquainting themselves with the history
of those operations which relate to the spread of the gospel, and

G

98 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

therefore ill prepared to inform others. Hence the comparative
listlessness of the churches on this subject. I am happy to believe,
however, that an improvement in these respects is taking place.
Our brethren are beginning to understand that the spirit of missions
is no other than the gospel spirit — the spirit of Christ.

WM. F. BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

FORKS OF ELKHORN, Feb. 18, 1852 : Your inquiry with reference
to the views of our brethren here, on the revision question, requires
some care lest I fail to give you a full view of the subject. . .

For my own part, I am as nearly neutral, in regard to this matter,
as a man of my temperament can be in regard to any important
measure. I grant that many and important improvements might be
made in King James' version, and indeed I have long wished that
the obscure words so often to be met with in it were all removed.
But whether this could now be done, and by the Baptists alone, with-
out endangering the interests of our denomination (and thereby of
the truth), is a question which I have not yet settled. . .

I have not yet been able to obtain a copy of the " Memoirs " of
our distinguished relative, A. Broaddus. The work has not been
sent westward. 1 wish you would suggest to his son (I suppose
you see him frequently) that the work would sell rapidly in Ken-
tucky. Many, very many old persons, who came to this State from
Virginia, think of him with almost the veneration due to an inspired
apostle.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

CULPEPER COURT HOUSE, March 16, 1852 : You mentioned
your call to California, but did not intimate your mind in regard to
it. Three thousand dollars a year, as Billy Allen used to say, sounds
well on water. Suppose, however, nothing like money could tempt
you away from civilization.

J. A. B, to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Tuesday, March 23, 1852 : One mo-
ment I must take, just to tell you how busy I am . ,

Students made a great bonfire on the lawn last night, and put it
out, I believe, with the engine, which is still standing out there. . .

When you get " little precious " off where none can see or hear,
kiss her five times, and tell her 'tis for father."

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, March 25, 1852: , . Never mind, I
feel better to-day, and I mean to spare myself the balance of the week

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 99

as much as possible, so that when wife and baby come back they
may find the husband-father blooming and lovable. . .

Couldn't sleep this morning, and was ready for breakfast before-
hand— sat down, and read some more of ** Die widen Schtoane." Oh,
it is so pretty ! And then I love the story because it has Elise m
it. . .

I wonder if you will be done Bancroft sure enough when you come
back.

A. M. BARBOUR to J. A. B. :

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, March 29, 1852 : The object of this

note is to request you if possible to send me a copy of Doctor Har-
rison's " Latin Grammar." I will pay any price for one if it can
be secured. I have gotten into several discussions with these fellows
here on the languages and have given some of them a very severe
drubbing on Latin and Greek and shown them that they know
but little of Latin or Greek really. But now I am subject to daily
assault as I am the only man here from our school. Therefore I
want to keep myself thoroughly and perfectly armed for them. I
consider that " Grammar " the best extant and there is no favor you
could do which would be so acceptable as to procure me a copy.

I like the Law-school here pretty well. Here, everything is
voluntary and nothing compulsory. But then to one who is desir-
ous of learning, it is a fine school. They have an elegant library,
and Moot Courts twice every week. Their Academic department
cannot compare with ours. I know I never was a good scholar and
am now rusty, but can stump any of the Seniors here, even their
very best men. The fact is, they don't know how to study or
teach the languages.

New positions continued to be pressed upon Mr.
Broadus. President White wished him to succeed him
at Wake Forest College, N. C ; the professorship of
Ancient Languages in Columbian University was urged
upon him ; and he was sought by the E. Street Church,
Washington. His health was breaking down and he was
on the way to Rawley Springs.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

COCKE'STAVERN, i. 30 P.M., Wednesday, Sept. i : . . . At ten
o'clock, Mr. Blair, the Presbyterian preacher came in. I was intro-

100 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

duced, and he invited me to go down to Hillsboro and be at the
temperance meeting, which some while ago, you may remember, he
invited me to attend. It is less than a mile from here, but I declined,
after considering. An extempore temperance speech must needs
savor of the humorous, and I am in no mood for humor ; besides
that, some of those who would be present stood with me last week
around my sister's1 grave. Oh, may the load of affliction that
weighs me down when men are not knowing it, be sanctified to my
spiritual good ! May her holy life, and this her hopeful, happy death
be the life and death of her so unworthy, yet so richly-blessed,
"baby" brother! Oh, that sister was dear to me, dearer than
any knew, dearer than I knew myself, yet she is gone ! But then,
she is gone to heaven ; and I can hope, humbly and trustingly, that
by the grace of God I shall see my sister Carry again, and part
from her no more. My dear Maria, be a Christian, with all your
heart, now.

VIRGINIA HOTEL, STAUNTON, Sept. i, 1852: I feel inclined to

write. I shall speak of nothing but very little things in my adven-
tures, things that I know would interest no other being, but which
my own little wife will read with pleasure— on the same principle that
I, when in Clark, used to love the very strings with which my sis-
ters had tied up my bundles.

You perceive that there was room for me in yesterday's stage.
Had an Irish woman and her son of some twelve years on the seat
with me, who seemed fresh. I tried with due respect, to find whether
either of them could speak at all an old Irish dialect ; both said they
couldn't, though the old woman said many of the people could. I
believe they thought I was poking fun at them. I walked two miles
up the mountain. The Irish about the tunnel, etc., are said to be
wretchedly degraded. A young man from Waynesboro told me
that the women even were often drunk there in the streets, and with
the most vulgar language. When the women are degraded, there
is little hope.

Got very warm walking. It was growing dusk when I returned
to the stage, where I soon became very chilly and was uneasy.
Didn't speak of it, but buttoned up my coat. This attracted the at-
tention of a lady on the back seat — she had a little girl with her,
and I had before amused her out of a bad humor into a mighty good
one with the pictures in '* Harper "—who began inquiries about my
health, and advised the borrowing of an overcoat which a young

1 Mrs. Whitescarver.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY IOI

man was not wearing. I wrapped it about me and was comfortable.
Had much talk with the lady, starting from the child, about educat-
ing children, and afterward with her companion, a young lady,
(both from the North originally) about slavery, " Uncle Tom's
Cabin," etc. Upon slavery in general and in particular, and after-
ward upon pronunciation, e. g., garden, etc., she was very Northern,
and I intensely Southern, but we agreed to disagree, and got on
pretty well. . .

RAWLEY SPRINGS, Sept 4, 1852: Thump, thump, splash,
splash, over stones and through the countless crossings of the
river, came an old buggy with a lame horse, bearing your pre-
cious husband yesterday evening to this delectable spot. My epi-
thet is applied half in earnest, half in irony. In many respects,
I like this place exceedingly well. I have always loved the moun-
tains ; more, perhaps, because my father and mother were raised
among the eastern spurs of the "Ridge," than for any reason. I
love to see the steep hills, I love to climb them. I love to stand,
as I did this morning on the summit of a precipice, and look down
over the little glen between the mountains, with its dashing stream
that really seems to have fretted itself into a fury, actually foam-
ing with rage because the rocks won't get out of its way — to take
off my hat and let the breeze that sweeps down the glen play on
my brow, cooling its heat and blowing back the hair, and mak-
ing me feel free and fresh and joyous, till I almost think I am a
man, or rather till I feel myself a boy again. I dieam over for a
moment some of my boyhood's dreams about a hunter's life in the
woods and on the mountains. I do love this, and verily I have
almost grown romantic in speaking of it. There is something in
the mountains that always stirs my soul more than anything else in
nature. I love the very toil of climbing them— to draw myself up
steep banks by the bushes, and think of the lucky Indian of Potosi,
to jump, more boldly than anywhere else I could venture, from one
great rock to another, and wonder if it mightn't be a pleasant thing
to be a chamois— to come back to the little half-grown river, and
standing on one of the many rocks that lie scattered about in the
stream, to hold my hands as if I wanted to stop the current, and then
again and again and many times to lift up the bright, clear, spar-
kling water and let It cool my face. I love all this dearly, and am
speaking of it now in a way which will make my dear little wife
laugh at my extravagance. . .

Major C of Stafford, knew my father very well, and makes

102 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

a great fuss over me, and Mr. Jamie C makes himself as

agreeable as ever he can, which isn't much, and Mr. Van Lear, of
Augusta, is a student of Washington College, and we agree won-
drously in our insinuations about the Institute. . .

I'll drink the water to the very limit of endurance, I'll eat enough
to make Mr, Sites' cook think several new visitors have just come
in before every meal, I'll climb the hills many times m many di-
rections, I'll try hard to catch one trout from the streams, for my
father used to catch trout when he was a boy, I'll read as much as,
with so many other important things to do, I can find time to read. . .

What you say of your religious feelings gives me some pain, but
much more pleasure ; pain, because you have somehow misunder-
stood me, and perhaps that has caused you suffering — but great
pleasure because I now confidently believe you are fairly in the
right way, that however trembling, you are laying hold upon the
hope set before you in the gospel. . .

I should be glad to see you join the church ; and my only
personal request is, that whenever you go forward, it may be at a
time when I can be present.1

Now and always, my dear Maria, I do pray and will pray, that
you may come rapidly up to the stature of a full-grown Christian,
that you may be earnest and devoted, and that the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, may keep your heart and mind
through Christ Jesus.

RAWLEY SPRINGS, Sept 9, 1852 : I have finished " Uncle Tom's
Cabin." It is exceedingly well written, having some passages of
rarely equaled power, and being altogether, so far as I can judge, a
very remarkable book. It contains much that is true, and much
that is untrue ; will do some good, and a great deal of harm, among
the Northerners.

I am reading now *' Mary Lundie D." Oh, it is beautiful ! , . .

I am often regretting the necessity of being thus absent from my
wife and our babe, and have to exert myself to keep down a sort of
restless feeling.

I ought to regret yet more, that I find it hard to be as much en-
gaged about personal religion as 1 ought to be. I do not love the
Bible as 1 ought to love it — do not read it with such relish and zest
as I ought to feel. I do not take a right interest in prayer. Alas!

1 Mrs. Broadus soon after joined the Methodist Church, in which she had been
brought up.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 103

your husband is a very poor Christian, Maria. Will you not pray for
him that he may have more of every Christian grace, and be en-
abled, in his private life and his public labors, to glorify God?

STAUNTON, Sept. 17, 1852 : I must write a note to Will, which he
will probably receive to-morrow some time, informing him of my re-
turn and my purpose to be at Mountain Plain, Sunday. Then I must'
devote the morning to my sermon. I have done scarcely anything'
at it yet, and though I feel very little like thinking, it will be only
worse to-morrow, and I must try to think of something to say. My
subject (Matt. 23 : 37) is prolific enough, one would think, yet my
ideas are very scanty, and I feel that it must be a barren sermon.
Yet the Lord often blesses our weakness, more than our greater
strength. Oh, that he may establish the work of my hands upon
me. Will my wife pray for me, that my so feeble labor may not be
in vain in the Lord ? Oh, that I could see sinners among my people
converted ! It lies like a burden on my heart, the thought that there
are so many unconverted men and women who look to me for almost
their only instruction, so many in the road to hell, with no voice but
mine to warn them of their danger and invite them to Jesus. Alas !
how cold have been my warmest feelings, how dull my most earnest
appeals. The Lord in mercy forgive me, that so often, so constantly,
I have neglected my duty. 1 know that I am not fit to be the instru-
ment of good— the Lord take me and fashion and temper me, and
then use me for his glory. Pray much for me— that the love of
Christ may subdue the deceitfulness and rebelliousness of my heart,
and that zeal for his glory, and pity for poor, perishing souls, may
lead me to work more faithfully in the Master's vineyard. Pray for
the divine blessing upon my preaching — especially upon the poor ser-
mon of next Sunday night. Dear Maria, do not fail.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Sept. 22, 1852 -. I was engaged ail
day yesterday in getting the amount of the subscription for building
our church, with a view to giving the thing a start Saturday night
next. I find a general anxiety, especially among the ladies, to have
it done, and hope it will be arranged now, and finally. It must cost
me much trouble and labor this week, and will require more wisdom
than I have, to harmonize and control. I will try. .

Mr. Broadus pushed the enterprise of a new church
building. By October 6, 1852, at the Wednesday meet-
ing, he had subscriptions amounting to three thousand

104 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

dollars. This was a heavy burden to the struggling
church, but the effort to bear it was blessed. A glorious
revival came in a few weeks. The meeting lasted from
October 20 to November 5. Rev. Messrs. Wm. F. Broad-
dus, Myrick, Fife, Fnsby, and Whitescarver preached,
while deep interest was shown in the meeting by the
University chaplain, and the Presbyterian and Methodist
pastors. Forty made profession of religion and twenty-
three were baptized. " Our meetings were very quiet
and solemn ; and there was frequently felt a realizing
sense of the Divine presence, which could not but impress
the heart. Especially did we find such pervading so-
lemnity in the sunrise prayer meeting. The number of
persons professing conversion is considered large for this
place/' l Dr. Wm. F. Broaddus spoke of it as " one of
my old-time meetings." J. M. Broadus wrote : " We are
glad of your success in this first great effort."

The church was not built without a debt, which hung
like a millstone on some necks. Many wished to use it
as an excuse for not giving to other things. Dr. R. J.
Willingham tells the following :

I remember in one of Doctor Broadus's last speeches before his
death he told this incident : When he was a young pastor in Vir-
ginia the church had just put up a new building. On Saturday one
of his deacons met him and the following conversation took place :
" Brother Broadus, to-morrow is Foreign Mission Dav, is it not?n
" Yes." " Well, you will not press the subject, will you? " " Why
not? " " We have a debt on our church, and ought to pay that."
The young pastor answered : " Do you think that after being blessed
of God in building a house for our comfort and convenience we
ought to neglect the lost souls out yonder for whom Christ died ? " He
went home, fell on his knees, and prayed God for wisdom to lead his
people. He then prepared the best sermon he possibly could on the
subject, and urged his people to give. A glorious collection followed.
The people were so rejoiced that they met Monday night at the young
pastor's house and paid every dollar of the debt which had been

1 J. A. B, in " Religious Herald," Dec., 1853.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 105

worrying them. God honors those who in his name reach after
dying men and women.

Some of the members of the church remember to this
day that sermon, and how Mr. Broadus used with tre-
mendous and wonderful effect the charge at Balaklava,
urging that our Commander makes no mistakes.

Already the young preacher was having that strange
effect on other preachers so noticeable in after years.
Rev. John T. Randolph was the preacher for the Negro
members of the church on Sunday afternoons. One
afternoon he was in a " weaving way " when Mr. Broadus
quietly stepped in and sat down. Instantly Mr. Ran-
dolph collapsed and called on some one else to pray.
Another time Broadus was absent from town and en-
gaged Mr. P. S. Henson to preach for him. But Mr.
Broadus unexpectedly came back just before the closing
prayer. Doctor Henson afterwards said that he did not
know a word of what he was saying in that prayer. It
was a source of much regret to Doctor Broadus that he
thus upset some preachers. In after years he used to
take pains to hear his students when they preached,
and was always disappointed when they failed to under-
stand his sympathetic attitude.

He had his amusing experiences, like other pastors.
Once a man a dozen miles away came and urged him to
come and marry him. " The folks are all ready/' he
said. Mr. Broadus went on horseback at his own ex-
pense. The groom pompously paid him two dollars say-
ing : " Parson, I reckon you make right smart money,
marrying folks."

J. A. B. to W. A. WHITESCARVER :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Dec. 27, 1852: I want to covenant

with you that we shall regularly pray for each other, for our indi-
vidual spirituality and our public usefulness.
The Lord grant that your labors may be greatly blessed, that your

106 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

people may become more earnest and more godly, and that you may
soon see sinners converted !

Mr. Broadus is now in the full tide of his career as a
preacher. He has large and definite plans for study and
growth for long years to come. He grapples with his
destiny.

That he did not consider the Charlottesville work a
sinecure, a study of his record-book will show. From
January to June, in 1853, he delivered a series of four-
teen Sunday evening discourses on the Apostle Paul.
Conybeare and Howson's "Life of Paul" he did not
have, but he used original sources. This series cre-
ated a sensation and thronged the church to overflow-
ing with professors and students from the University
and people of all denominations from Charlottesville.
He began on Wednesday night, but soon had to take
Sunday nights in the main audience room. He used maps
to point out the places and each sermon grew in favor.
He had also a printed scheme of these lectures as an aid
to the audience. People would say : " Paul will preach
to-night." Interest in the Bible became widespread in
the town.

Pressed as he was with double duty, his preaching reached high
water mark, and the little Baptist church at Charlottesville was
always crowded, the congregation including numbers of the students
and often professors as well. Never can I forget how I would sit
enwrapped in his eloquence which was scarcely surpassed afterwards,
however much he may have grown. I think that later his sermons
became more didactic and perhaps richer in the exposition of Scrip-
ture ; but oh, there was then a freshness and fervor and a flow of
thought and language ; and sentences from his lips are still in my
memory as if heard yesterday.1

Dr. W. D. Thomas, who was a student of the Uni-

1 Doctor George B Taylor. In manuscript for new volume on *' Virginia Baptist
Ministers."

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 107

versity from 1850 to 1854 (taking M. A.), says that John
A. Broadus's preaching was rather bare of imagination at
first. He later cultivated his imagination till he used it
with wonderful power. After a sermon of Mr. Broadus's
on Martha and Mary, a gentleman inCharlottesville, who
had just returned from Palestine, asked him when he
had been there, so accurately had he described the roads
from Jerusalem to Bethany. He had been studying
Robinson. The use of his imagination became a marked
characteristic of his preaching. There was little gesture
in these early days, some illustration, but no embroidery.
Once, when asked the source of his style, he said it was
his audience. He was compelled to put things so as to
enlist the sympathy of the most profound and the most
ignorant. His audience was cosmopolitan, and swept
the whole gamut of human gifts and accomplishments.
He had to blend depth and clearness in every sermon.
The constant effort to do this created that wonderful
simplicity which flowed like a mountain stream, so clear
and so deep. There was tremendous moral earnestness
with deep pathos and delicate flashes of humor. His
magnetism threw a spell over his audience. People felt
that his preaching was one of the events of their lives
not to be missed. There was more than the glow of
youth and genius. There was great spiritual power that
melted hearts to repentance.

Some criticism naturally arose because he could not
visit much, but he made his visits tell. Besides calling
on families, he had a habit of calling on one member of
the family at a time so as to have a chance for conver-
sation on personal religion. These conversations often
led to salvation. One of his flock well remembers one
such visit to herself, when she was asked if she prayed.
She thought to herself: "If I say 'Yes/ he will say,
'Then why are you not a Christian' ? " So she said

108 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

"No." He prayed with her and soon baptized her.
Doctor Broadus often said that he knew of more persons
led to Christ by his conversation than by his preaching.

MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS to MRS. MARTHA BICKERS :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, April 27, 1853 : I reckon you have
heard of Mr. Broadus's intention of taking up his abode in Char-
lottesville next session, but I am sure I shall be first to tell that he
has actually rented a house and that we expect to go there to live
about the middle or last of August.

I have been to see the house and was much pleased with It, and
as I have always fancied the idea of keeping house, hope to be
very happy there. My head is full of plans and arrangements and I
scarcely think of anything else, but I excuse myself for being so
intent upon the subject, as it is an entirely new business to me and
therefore requires a good deal of thought and foresight.

I am going to give you something to think of too, and that is, you
must make up your mind to come to see us when we get fixed, for it
will never do for you not to come to see your little brother, as I dare
say he still seems to you to be. . .

And ten days ago Mr. Broadus and I went to Richmond and spent
Sunday in the pleasant household of Mr. James Thomas. So you
see we are great travelers, though we do not go very great distances
from home.

In strawberry season I am to go to Aunt Maria Rives' to stay ten
days, and if I can get the strawberries to last, I want to wait until
the first of June, as Mr. Broadus will be absent a week at that time,
attending the June meetings. I should be glad for Mr. Broadus to
go about in the country some now as he does not look very well,
although his health is better than it usually is at this time of the year,
but he cannot spare time enough to do him any good. I hope, how-
ever, he will have time and opportunity this summer to recruit and
gather strength for the labors of next year.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS:

BALTIMORE, May 14, 1853 : I live a month every day, though
yesterday was a very sickish and sleepy day. I came very near
making a speech about gvoing this morning, but did not, and am
glad ; I don't think it would be in good taste for me to speak in so
august a body.1 . .

1 Session of the Southern Baptist Convention.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY IOQ

I am to preach to-morrow morning at the High Street Baptist
Church. I suppose there is some curiosity to hear a young man
who bears a highly honored name, but it is Wilson's doings that one
so young should be among the ten preachers selected. I am trying
to think only of speaking the truth and doing good. I have deter-
mined to take the sermon you heard when we came in from Parish's,
" My ways are not your ways," etc.

FREDERICKSBURG, Saturday morning, June 4, 1853 : I reached
here last Thursday afternoon, 4^ o'clock. Preached1 that night in
the Presbyterian church, the Baptist church being small, to some
twelve hundred people. The sermon was about middling ; 1 believe
it is well spoken of. . .

I know that I am exciting expectations, to meet which will require
more effort than I have ever made before. Besides, I know that
I am grievously prone to overestimate men's opinion of me and
lamentably inclined to be vain when I ought to be humble. Pray
for me, Maria, that a little applause may not be permitted to turn my
weak head and bewitch my silly heart in that I may remember my
nothingness and my entire dependence for all true success on the
Divine blessing, and that more than anything else I may carry back
an increased desire to labor for the conversion of men to Christ.

WM. F. BROADDUS2 to J. A. B. :

MOWINGTON, June 14, 1853 : On the last day of last week I left
home for a short trip, and was gone three days. Your name was in
the mouth of more than one friend with whom I met, most of whom,
by the way, had both seen you and heard your voice more than once,
while the hosts of the Lord were at the June Feast. I will tell you
some things that were said of you. I have not time to tell you all
that I heard said of you, for much of our talk was of you, and to
write it all would take more space than this sheet would give and
take more time than I can now spare for you. I will give you what
two friends said, and their words may serve to point out to you what
you told me you had a wish to know — that is, what those who heard
you preach and teach from the word of God thought of your style
and your mode.

I shall give you first the mind of a man who for twelve years has
had a place in the ranks of those who preach the word, and whose
mind is strong and thought by those who know him to be of a high

1 Before the Virginia Baptist Foreign Mission Society Text, Matt ig : ao
* W. F. Broaddus often amused himself by writing letters In words of one syllable,

1 10 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

grade. In short, he is a man whose words would have great weight
with all who know him. He heard you "preach" and "speak,"
and he thinks your whole mode the best he has met with in all his
life. He says you teach just what ought to be taught, and in just
such a way as he thinks it ought to be taught, and he would give all
of this world's goods—and he has quite a large stock of wealth— if he
could preach as you preach. And then he said, that he hoped that
all the young men who heaid you would think of you as he did and
would try to shape their course by yours. But now, lest what you
have just read should lift you up too much, I must tell you what one
said who does not think of you just as the friend does whose words
you have just read. This man too is of those who "preach the
word." He made his first speech in the " desk " one year ere I made
my first, and from that time till now has been in the field. He is a
good man and has done good for the cause of Christ, though I must
own that he has not spent much time with books, nor had much care
to store his mind with what great men have said of God's word and
ways. I took my chief meal with him on the last day of last week,
and as we sat at meat, he spoke of you. Said he : " What he said
was good, but how strange that a young man so well taught in ah
that the books can teach should use a style so much like that of a
mere child. You ought," said he, " to tell him of it, and put him in
mind that one who knows so much ought to use a style more high,
a style that fits such thoughts as he deals out to those who hear
him." I had hard work to keep back a smile at these words. I
thought how strange that one so long at work in Christ's cause
should wish to have the truth set forth in words of high sound.

It was not alone as a preacher that John A. Broadus
had grown during these two years. He was assistant
instructor of ancient languages in the University and
lived with Doctor Harrison. The room in West Lawn is
still pointed out where the young teacher corrected Greek
and Latin exercises. As a teacher he took steady hold,
winning the respect and confidence of his pupils. His
young colleague, Prof. F. H. Smith, would hear students
speak of his clearness in teaching. Professor Peters,
though not in his class, sometimes attended junior Greek
under him. He found that the men had confidence in
his scholarship second only to that of Doctor Harrison.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY in

Dr. George B. Taylor, a member of his Greek class,
says :

His teaching traits then were, a purpose to excel in his work, a
thirst for learning for its own sake, a desire for usefulness, and fine
tact. He would sometimes send me a note inviting me to his study
on the lawn, and I have now before me a clear picture of him as he
would be at his table covered with lexicons and other books of refer-
ence, a shade over the lamp and one over his eyes, intense serious-
ness in his face, in a word the typical hard student. He already had
the stoop of the man who sits much at the desk, and when in repose,
his face seemed almost sad. There was much to do, for besides the
preparation of two sermons for Sunday and other pastoral duties,
there was the getting ready to meet his classes and the drudgery of
correcting not less than a hundred exercises every week. Besides all
this, he was constantly adding to his knowledge and laying broad
and deep the foundations for the future. Specially was he at work
on New Testament Greek, bringing to it his thorough acquaintance
with classic Greek and using all the best helps. He said to me at
that time, " Though I may not become an authority, yet I wish to be
able for myself to form an independent judgment on all questions of
New Testament interpretation." As yet not many books were on his
shelves, but he was already beginning to gather a first-rate library,
getting ready the tools he needed and only the best. In the class-
room he simply followed the traditions of the University, rigidly
questioning and insisting on exactly correct answers, correcting mis-
takes, yet using the utmost politeness to every student, no matter how
idle or dull. His dignified mien prevented disorder, and his keen wit
would have quelled it had it appeared. Any slight annoyance he
would abate by a playful, sub-acid remark. l

Mr. Broadus took a keen interest in the life of the
students and had intimate personal relations with many
of them, taking walks with one or another. Prof.
Thomas Hume, of the University of North Carolina, re-
calls how, on one of these walks along the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad track, he urged him to consider if
preaching were not his duty.

Dr. C. H. Toy, in a private letter, says :

1 Sketch of John A. Broadus, from new volume of " Virginia Baptist Ministers "

112 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

When I went to the University of Virginia, in 1852, he was tutoi
in Greek, and was regarded as an admirable Greek scholar. He
was very kind to me personally (I had a letter of introduction to him),
but he left the University before I entered the school of ancient lan-
guages, and I did not at that time come under his teaching. His
acceptance of the charge of the Charlottesville Baptist Church was
greatly regretted in University circles ; it was belkved that if he had
remained there as teacher he would have become an eminent Greek r
scholar (and, as it happened, this is what he did become).

The burden of teaching and preaching had become too
great and Mr. Broadus was not willing to give up his
ministerial work. So he moved down to Charlottesville
as a full-fledged pastor.

WM. F. BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

FLEETWOOD ACADEMY, June 27, 1853 : I hope you are arrang-
ing to be at our camp meeting in Culpeper. Do you know who
wrote " Phoenix " in the " Herald " ? It is supposed in all this region
that you wrote it.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

BREMO, August 8, 1853 : We reached Bro. Jones' before eight
o'clock Saturday night, having traveled thirty-three miles in less than
seven hours. I was tired, but got a pretty good night's rest. The
meeting at the Fluvanna Church was still going on yesterday, but
we had at the Brick1 a great crowd—very many not getting in. I
preached in the morning from the parable of the Sower, but was
greatly "hampered," and made a poor affair of it. In the after-
noon, from the Publican's Prayer, with more feeling than usual, a
good deal of interest. Four persons knelt for prayer, and several others
told us at the close of deep feeling. The prospect is very encouraging.

Read a very pretty little story, last evening, by the author of " A
Trap to Catch a Sunbeam," which made me think much of you, of
your manifestly growing affection for your husband, and, I trust, your
growing happiness. Sometimes there comes over me a dreamy hope
that the day may be when I shall be less unworthy of my dear wife's
love.

STAUNTON, August 22, 1853 : Till the breakfast bell, I can write.
The details of my trip thus far I will give in a subsequent letter. I

i Fork Union.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 113

have enjoyed it ; preached tolerably well on Friday ; was elected
moderator of the Association, and have got through pretty well.
Stayed one night with A. L. Nelson. Yesterday morning I preached
at the stand—immense crowd—came m afternoon to Staunton, and
preached by arrangement in the Presbyterian church. A little too
much distinction and lionizing. Oh, for the meek and lowly spirit
of him in whose name I labor.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, September 5, 1853: Your letter of August 4
arrived while 1 was with Brother Whitescarver, at his church in Flu-
vanna, in a meeting of days. We had large congregations, the
house crowded even on week days, and a good state of feeling
among the people. Some of them were rather disposed at first to be
boisterous, but before we left there was much of that solemn stillness
in which I so much delight. Some seven or eight persons professed
conversion during our stay, and I hope much good was done that
only the future will make manifest. That meeting and the one at
Blue Run,1 1 look back upon as two of the most pleasant seasons of
my religious life. I trust I have to some extent found it true in the
spiritual sense, that '* he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
Our kind Father will not fail to bless to our own growth in grace
and comfort of love, any sincere effort, however feeble, which we
make to promote his glory in the conversion of sinners ; and this
blessing may be realized, not only by the preacher in the pulpit, but
by every Christian in private efforts to do good to individuals.

A few days after I returned from Fluvanna and received your letter,
I set out again to attend a meeting of the Albemarle Baptist Associa-
tion, held in the county of Augusta. A Baptist Association is com-
posed of delegates from the churches in a given district of country,
who voluntarily associate themselves for the purpose. At these
meetings, commonly consisting of four delegates from each church,
letters are read, stating the progress of the several churches during
the past twelve months and their present condition and prospect, with
statistics. Reports are also made by standing committees, which are
expected to embody facts and arguments concerning the great
benevolent operations of the day ; and any other matters acted upon
that are requisite and allowable. The Association has no control
over the churches, being simply an advisory body. Every church
we consider a government within itself, and all other organizations

1 In Orange County. The meeting: was in July, 1853.
H

114 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

for religious purposes must be voluntary and without any authority
to rule the churches. Such is the form of church government which
we think the New Testament sanctions.

I hope that in enlarged acquaintance with the Scriptures, and
growing interest in the progress of our Redeemer's kingdom, at
home and abroad, you may find benefit and enjoyment. Let me
recommend you to keep near the simple, fundamental truths of the
gospel ; you a sinner, and Christ the sole and sufficient Saviour.
My text yesterday morning is a passage well worth bearing m mind,
" When I am weak, then am I strong " (2 Cor. 12 : 10). Let con-
scious weakness make you watchful, and make you prayerfully take
hold upon the Divine strength. You may find the saying true in
many respects, but especially as regards Christian steadfastness and
Christian usefulness. . .

Please present me with respectful and kindest regards to all your
friends whose acquaintance it was my privilege to make. I remem-
ber my visit to Barboursville with exceeding pleasure, and shall be
very glad if I am ever able to repeat it.

MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO to J. A. B. :

BARBOURSVILLE, Sept. 29, 1853 : I received your kind and in-
structive letter a few weeks since and was truly obliged to you for it.
I was glad to have a clearer idea given me of our church organiza-
tion, for though not entirely ignorant, still I had but a vague idea
given me of it. . .

The entire disposal which I have of my own time I consider a great
cause for gratitude, but at the same time it is a most important talent
intrusted to me, and I do feel most sincerely desirous to use it in a
manner which will conduce most to the honor and glory of the good
Giver. I think I cannot be mistaken in devoting a large portion of my
time in the study of his will as made known to man m the Bible,
For a year past I have felt the want of a fuller commentary than the
one I have, and thought of getting Scott's, but I would like to know
whose you prefer. I would be obliged to you for any hints that you
would think useful to me in my efforts to acquire a knowledge of the
Scriptures. I wish to attain a clear understanding on my own account
and then as an aid in my endeavors to benefit others.

The sermon note-book shows this entry for Sept. 25 :

Address to the church on commencing my labors as exclusively a
pastor.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 115
J. A. B. to W. A. WHITESCARVER :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Oct. 3, 1853 : Thanks to sawing wood
every morning, my health is improving.

In the " Religious Herald " for Oct. 6, 1853, John A.
Broadus appears in an article entitled " Obey your Par-
ents " and signed A. This brief article is worth pre-
serving, since it shows how rapidly the two years at
Charlottesville and the University have matured his
thought and style. Here we see the same elements
that characterized him in after years :

OBEY YOUR PARENTS.

In talking, the other day, to the children of our Sunday-school, it
occurred to me to put together several reasons why they ought to
obey their parents. They are not new reasons, but they are very
good ones ; and it may be that thinking of them, all together, may
incite some young reader to do what is thus urged.

1. Itisnght m itself. The apostle says (Eph. 6 : i) : " Children,
obey your parents in the Lord ; for this is right." Surely that ought
to be reason enough, if there was no other at all. But

2. It is your interest. This is the first " commandment with prom-
ise." Obey your parents, honor your father and mother, that it
may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Often this is literally fulfilled ; and alas ! very often children shorten
their days by not obeying — either they meet with some fatal accident
through ignorance or recklessness, or else they sow the seed of some
disease, or form some pernicious habit, which afterward brings them
to an unhappy and untimely death.

3. You have the best possible example for it. You remember that
this is Jesus himself, who "was subject unto" his parents. And
observe this— Jesus was wiser than they were ; nay, though only
twelve years old at the time referred to, he had just proved himself
wiser than the great teachers, the learned men at Jerusalem. Some
boys and girls think themselves wiser than their parents, especially
if they happen to be learning something at school that their father
and mother never had an opportunity to study. But here Jesus, who
really did know more than his parents, was still subject unto them.

4. If you do not, you will be sorry for it. You will be sorry in
many ways— one way is this : If you ever live to stand by your

Il6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

father's or your mother's grave, or stand, as I have stood, where both
sleep side by side, and remember any time when you gave them pain
by disobedience, oh, then you will mourn most bitterly ! It will be
too late then, however you might desire it, to ask their pardon. Do
not run the risk of ever knowing an hour of such keen agony—such
bitter sorrow.

Consider now, whether these are not good reasons ; and determine
that you will be sure to " obey your parents."

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

FREDERICKSBURG, Monday morning, Nov. 7, 1853 : I reached
home at eleven o'clock Saturday morning. On the cars I had a fine
opportunity to stare at General Scott, of which I availed myself with
great satisfaction. He was talking, part of the time, with some lively
young ladies, so as to put off his accustomed frown, and he was
then in my eyes a man of most magnificent appearance. How mar-
velous is our admiration of military greatness ! I have no respect
for that man as a politician, but remembering Lundy's Lane and
the battlefields of Mexico, and gazing upon his truly commanding
form, I honor him, and account it a privilege to see him. You
remember, though, that I have seen very few of the noted men of
our times. There were various acquaintances on board, John Wash-
ington, Andrew S. Broaddus, of Caroline, young Doggett, the
Methodist preacher, etc. . .

Yesterday morning the church was quite full, and some went away
for lack of seats. I preached from the Publican's Prayer with toler-
able success The congregation has been somewhat prepared for this
meeting, there being a general looking forward to it, and so at the
very first sermon there was not only excellent attention but much
feeling— many wept. Last night I preached again, from Col. i : 28.
The house was crowded and overflowing. The sermon was rather
languid, and certainly one of the most commonplace that even I have
ever preached ; in fact, I somehow felt no disposition to rise above a
mere unpretending repetition of what they have been hearing from
their childhood. (As we were returning, Uncle William and I, we
heard two young men discussing the sermon ; one of them was
greatly disappointed, he had expected to " hear something eloquent,'*
the other was insisting that it was very fitly done). It is needful to
be cautious about the special application of such a belief, but I am
inclined to believe that the strong inclination I felt to speak in such
a style was to a certain extent of the Lord. I have prayed that great
good might be done at this meeting, and done as far as possible in

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 117

such a way, that I might be unable to take the credit of it, m any
degree to myself. . . I soon perceived that many in the congrega-
tion were deeply moved, and as I spoke of Jesus the Saviour, the all-
sufficient, the loving, the only Saviour, and warned them not to re-
ject him, not to put off, warned them to flee the wrath to come, many
wept ; strong men, they say, and near to the door where the atmos-
phere is often so chill, were weeping like children. And yet what I
was saying did not move my own heart, and would hardly have
kept my people at home in their seats. Seven persons came forward
for prayer. I suppose twenty or thirty might have been induced, by
much persuasion, to come, but my uncle thought proper (and I be-
lieve very wisely) to refrain from any great effort just then.

FREDERICKSBURG, Friday, Nov. n, 1853: . . The enclosed
notice will surprise you. 1 received the invitation the day I arrived,
but did not think of appearing until some future time. Yesterday,
they l came to me, representing that they were anxious to commence
their series of lectures speedily, and desiring me to address them
before leaving. They said all would appreciate the difficulty of doing
myself justice under the cncumstances, etc., and Uncle William and
Bagby advised that I should undertake it. Uncle William himself
is to be one of their lecturers, and I suppose McPhail, John R.
Thompson, R H. Garnett, W. Pope Dabney have consented to
come during the season. So it is a respectable concern. Indeed, it
troubles me that I must appear, for the first time, to deliver a lecture
with a fee for admittance, and have only parts of three days to pre-
pare. I shall go away by the train Monday night, so as still to get
home Tuesday.

I thought yesterday I would treat this theme, " Simplicity of
Speech." I can hit at pedantry, at the doctors and lawyers and
preachers and teachers, and the young ladies too — can talk about the
English language, Anglo Saxon, etc., and languages in general.
Don't know what I shall make of it.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA,,DCC. 5, 1853: . . With your permis-
sion, I will recur in a future letter to the special subject of reading
the Bible. The subject is, I confess, a very favorite one with me,
perhaps some would say my hobby.

With regard to your colonization scheme, I have only time to say
that I heartily approve the general idea of colonization, and that i

1 The Young Men's Society.

Il8 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

should be disposed to favor the plan you speak of with reference to
your own slaves. If you will give me, as you mention, further
details concerning them, I shall take pleasure in stating my opinion
with all the freedom that is inspired by your kind confidence.

I trust you are still making some progress in personal piety. May
the Lord make you faithful and useful, and thus happy.

The valuable book you sent me, and which was duly received,
could hardly have been equaled in acceptableness. I had been regret-
ting, upon reading notices of it, that I could not afford to procure it.

Mr. Broadus was very active in mission endeavor.
At the June meetings in 1853 he had reported for the
church five hundred and forty dollars for various mission
causes. This was more than the pastor's salary. The
book shows also that he himself gave more than one-
tenth of his income. He opened his pulpit and his heart
to the denominational agents. He speaks as follows of
the secretary of the Foreign Board :

Doctor Taylor's method of collecting was of the fertilizing sort.
He left the people more fnendly to him and his cause after giving, so
that next time they would give more cheerfully, if not more largely.
Two or three times I wrote and asked him to come when it was time
to collect for missions, because I knew the effect would be good.1

The series of lectures upon Paul turned out so well
that Mr* Broadus wished to go further in that line. From
the first of October, 1853, to the end of June, 1854, the
note-book presents a remarkable course of week-night
lectures. He was free from University work now, and
threw his whole nature into the work at Charlottesville.
This suggestive list of topics is worth the pastor's peru-
sal who has trouble with his prayer meetings. This
series crowded the house week by week.

Family Prayer, Reading (two), Profanity, Self-government, The
Woman of Canaan, Enoch, Noah and the Deluge, Lot and the De-
struction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham, Balaam, The Entrance
into Canaan and the Destruction of Jericho, Caleb (with a sketch of
1 " life and Times of James B. Taylor," p. 347.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 119

the intermediate history), The Earlier Judges, Samson, Micah's
Establishment and the Destruction of the Benjamites, Ruth, Samuel,
Eli, The Ark, Saul, David (nine lectures: Earlier History; Till his
Flight to Ramah ; to the Wilderness of Maon ; to the Death of Saul ; to
the Removal of the Ark to Zion ; to the Establishment of Mephibosheth
at Court ; to the Commencement of Absalom's Rebellion ; Absalom's
Rebellion and the Restoration ; to the Close of his Life), Andrew Fuller's
Life and Writings, Robert Hall's Life and Writings, Solomon (five
lectures : to Marriage with Egyptian Princess and Canticles ; The
Temple ; Fortifying and Commerce and Queen of Sheba ; Book of
Proverbs ; Solomon's Shame, and Last Years and Ecclesiastes), Habit,
Popular Amusements, Church History (thirteen lectures : Introduc-
tory; to Reign of Hadrian 117; Justin Martyr and his Times;
Irenaeus and Hippolytus and the Catacombs ; Tertullian and Church
Life and Worship; Origen and Leading Heresies; Cyprian and Church
Constitution ; Constantine the Great ; Julian the Apostate ; Asceti-
cism and Monkery ; Chrysostom ; Augustine and Jerome ; Mahomet).

Vigorous work and robust reading had preceded this
course of prayer-meeting studies.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

PETERSBURG, Friday, February 17, 1854, Columbia Hotel: After
supper got into a room, and attempted to think over the speech ;
kept me walking the floor till 10.30 o'clock. Then, tired, excited, and
with my cold increasing, I tried to sleep, but it was near midnight
before the bustle ceased, and then I slept fitfully. The room had
been a very short time in use, and unless I greatly mistake, the
sheets were slightly damp. I awoke this morning half-past five,
quite hoarse and with some sore throat. For breakfast, some
wretched biscuits, and strong coffee without cream. I nibbled and

sipped a " li' bit." Reached here at nine o'clock. Mr. G 's carriage

in waiting. After dressing found their breakfast just ready, and ate.
Mr. J. Y. G. is unexpectedly detained in Richmond ; coming over

this afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. G seem to be among the excellent of

the earth ; they have been very kind and every way considerate,

Mrs. G made me a mixture of egg and sugar, with a little brandy,

which is helping my hoarseness a little. I have been to the library ;
the room is exceedingly neat and tasteful, and must be pleasant to
speak in. They have no books on languages.1 I don't know that

1 Lectured before Petersburg Library Association on the study of language.

120 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

they ought to have. There have been some half-a-dozen lecturers, —
Van Zandt, Bishop Atkinson, T. V. Moore, John R. Thompson,—
don't remember the balance. I am scared, terribly. Am not myself,
from loss of sleep and cold; fear my subject won't take, but I
believe what I shall say, and shall speak con amore^ if with no other
merit. They have always had good audiences, and it will be a
pleasant night.

J. A. B. in MISS M. M.'S ALBUM :

April 20, 1854 : The four years which I spent, Miss Mary, so neat
to your own home, will soon have been equaled by the years elapsed
since my student life was ended. Yet I look back upon that life with
feelings that have scarcely lost any of their freshness. I remember
many pleasant meetings, many a lively talk, many a time when, on
the eve of some difficult examination, 1 would " go to see the ladies "
as a finishing touch to my preparation. I cannot think of those days
but there come thronging memories of kindly words and friendly
deeds on the part of yourself and all the others of your family, the
living and the departed. I cherish toward you all a feeling of grate-
ful regard which I am conscious of having poorly manifested, and
to which words could give no fit expression. May you long live,
Miss Mary, to laugh away the glooms of many another friend ; yea,
to bless more highly still ; for earnest and serious as well as cheerful,
combining knowledge of religious truth with a hearty and humble
love of the truth, may it be your privilege by your character and life
to present to all who know you that pleasing picture, the bright side
of religion.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

EXCHANGE HOTEL, RICHMOND, VA., June 2, 1854 : Our meet-
ings l have been quite interesting.

Uncle William has been quite unwell, and made a bad failure
last night on foreign missions. He won laurels, however, this
morning, by a very able speech on the proposed female institute.

I was asked to speak this morning in the Bible Society, and at
short notice concluded to try it ; did only tolerably well. , . Took
tea yesterday in company with Mrs. Alexander, who was my near
neighbor in Clarke ; have seen also one of my old scholars, James
Allen, now a delegate to the Association. Mrs. Alexander was won-
derfully friendly.

1 June meetings.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 121

Some members of the Second Church (Dr. Ho well's) expressed a
wish that I should preach there Sunday. Howell therefore insisted,
and though I spoke of Hoge's invitation, Howell overruled it in the
committee, and I am to preach at Second Church Sunday morning.
Had a special application also to preach at Centenary Church.
Happily for me, the committee have all the responsibility of assign-
ing and arranging.

1 During his [J. A. B's.] pastorate at Charlottesville was organ-
ized, largely under his influence, the Albemarle Female Institute, the
very first school, so far as I know, to put the English language on
a footing of parity with the ancient classics and the cultured tongues
of modern Europe. More of credit for this bold innovation is, per-
haps, due to the principal, Prof. John Hart, and his assistant,
Crawford H. Toy ; but it was made not without consultation with
the president of the trustees.

The "bold innovation " was not consummated till
1857. This "branch in collegiate education [study of
English] owes him a large debt."

Mrs. L. L. Hamilton writes as follows :

Whilst a pupil at the Albemarle Female Institute, I boarded with
a Presbyterian family ; but through the courtesy of Doctor Broadus
was able to attend the night services held at my own church.

The Baptist parsonage was not quite a block away from my
boarding house and Doctor Broadus would come for me " ram, hail, or
shine." One Sunday night, a violent storm came on an hour before
services. It simply poured down, the streets looked like running
streams.

Every one in the house abandoned the idea of going out to preach-
ing that night. Soon the door-bell rang— Doctor B stood on the

porch under a big umbrella, and in a cheery tone called out, " Well,

L , are your ready? It is pretty bad ; but I think we can make

it." The church was only a short block away, we reached it with-
out any material damage, and found a waiting congregation of
three persons— John Hart, Alec. P. Abell, and Louisa Soweli ; I am
now the only one left of the five that were present that night.

I thought of course our good pastor would give us a " prayer-
meeting talk," sing a hymn and go out ; but no, when he entered

1 Prof. H. H. Harris In " Religious Herald," March 21, 1895

122 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

the pulpit, a momentary expression of amusement flitted over his
countenance as he gazed on the empty pews. Mr. Hart and I sat
just in front of the pulpit, and the other two brethren in the " amen
corners."

The services began as usual— you can well imagine that the
quartette were not able to render very fine music, but we did the
best we could. Then came a grand sermon. Doctor Broadus
preached with as much pathos and power as if thousands were lis-
tening to his impassioned utterances, After it was over he came
down and said smilingly, " I have a very attentive congregation."
Some one said, " We would have been satisfied with a little talk,
you should have saved that fine sermon for a big crowd." He re-
plied : " The few who braved the storm to hear me, deserved the
best I had. I really enjoyed preaching to you, for I knew you
wanted to hear me."

Another friend writes :

There was a magical influence in his sympathy with the young
people of the community. They remembered and repeated his say-
ings, and they sought his advice with a love and confidence little
short of adoration. Perhaps in Charlottesville his greatest influence
was with them. The boys and girls still at school he stimulated to
nobler effort, frequently by an incidental remark from the pulpit, upon
the importance of their work, or with a tender word touching upon
their difficulties and the way to rise above them. He created an
eagerness for learning and love of truth which led them to buy and
diligently read any book he named.

Many a delightful volume would he recommend with an aside re-
mark in his sermon, or more often in the Wednesday night lecture,
which the young men and women might otherwise never have
known, and enjoyed, and woven into the very texture of their being.
When any were tossed like the troubled sea, and groping after
religious light and peace, he seemed gifted in his preaching with a
clairvoyance which knew all that was in their minds ; and with a
wondrous aptness, clearness, and fullness, he guided their yearning
hearts to the Fountain of life, and there was given unto them ** the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

The following essay, from which we make a few ex-
tracts, was written before John A. Broadus was twenty-
eight years old, and forms an interesting study as the

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 123

basis of his " Preparation and Delivery of Sermons,"
written sixteen years later. The essay was published
in the " Religious Herald/' Dec. 14, 1854, In a note to
the editor, J. A. B. said :

The following essay was read, by appointment, before some
brethren, who proposed that it should be published m the " Herald."

ESSAY ON THE BEST MODE OF PREPARING AND DELIVERING

SERMONS.

The subject is one of such compass and complexity that we can-
not expect to investigate it in general, and propose to deal -simply
with its practical aspects. We make only one or two preliminary
remarks.

A sermon becomes such only in the act of delivery. Whatever
mode of preparing be adopted, it is not strictly a sermon, but merely
the preparation, until it is delivered. The proper design of a sermon
is to produce its effect as delivered. The subsequent printing such
a discourse to read, however legitimate and useful, is a matter inci-
dental and additional. We must inquire, then, what method is cal-
culated to produce the greatest and most lasting effect upon those
who hear the sermon delivered ?

Again. In consulting the taste of our auditors, we are apt to re-
gard too exclusively the preferences of the cultivated few. It is true
they exercise no little influence upon the many ; yet while the people
at large may be induced thereby to acquiesce in some particular
method, it may still continue devoid of the power greatly to interest
or impress them.

Yet, another remark must be, that we can only expect to decide
on some mode as generally best ; for there may often be something
peculiar in the subject, the occasion, the character of the audience,
or the speaker himself, necessitating the adoption of a method which
commonly might not be preferable. Besides, there is no method
which has not been adopted by some men with very great success.
It follows that we must not look too much at particular examples,
but inquire what is best for men m general.

The modes of preparation and delivery, commonly employed, are:
To write and read ; to write and repeat from memory ; and to speak
extemporaneously. (We use this last term because it is comprehen-
sive, although aware of its great ambiguity.)

We shall endeavor to point out, in few words, some of the advan-
tages and disadvantages of these several methods. . .

124 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

We come now to the third method, to speak extemporaneously. This
does not mean to extemporize the thinking, nor even that the choice
of language shall of necessity be all left to the moment of delivery.
Many who speak in this way not only elaborate the thought before-
hand, but select the terms where there is difficulty in making the
selection ; and, in some cases, arrange a sentence, as in the state
ment of their subject in a definition, or wherever there is need of
special accuracy. We include under this head all those methods
which do not involve writing out just what it is proposed to read or
say, whether the preparation be made with or without writing down
thoughts and whether the delivery be with or without notes.

Among the numerous advantages of this method, we may name
the following : It accustoms a man to think rapidly and trains the
mind to work for itself, without such entire dependence upon out-
ward helps. It enables him to spend his strength chiefly upon the
more difficult parts of the subject. When he is pressed for time, as
with the numerous engagements of a modern pastor will often be
the case, he can get more thought into his sermon than if all the
little time he has must be spent in hurriedly writing down what
comes uppermost into mind. In such cases the choice must be be-
tween extemporizing the language when the thought has been elabo-
rated, and taking the thought extempore in order to prepare the lan-
guage. Indeed, the general question between this and the former
methods would seem to be, which deserves greater attention, power
of thought or precision and prettiness of expression? Many times
an audience listens with every indication of pleasure to a discourse
whose smooth and flowing sentences contain no truly valuable
thought, while it would be more profitable, even if less pleasing to
some, had it contained but a single thought of value, though less
elegantly and accurately expressed. Shall we seek to tickle men's
ears or to touch their hearts? And, besides the advantage of being
able to use an idea which may occur at the time, and to turn to ac-
count particular circumstances, it is often desirable for a preacher to
speak at a moment's warning. A talented minister is sometimes
unable to make a little speech in a temperance meeting, or the like,
because he is used to writing out beforehand whatever he says.
Certainly this disqualification does not in all cases exist, but such is
the natural tendency, and such, to a very considerable extent, the
frequent result. In delivery, the advantages of speaking extempo-
raneously are not only numerous and great, but so obvious as to
need no detail.
The disadvantages seem to be these : There is a tendency to in-

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 125

crease indolence, as one's facility of fluent speaking increases ; but
the tendency may surely be resisted. There is difficulty in fixing
the mind when preparing ; but this is largely remedied by making
notes. This sermon, if used again, requires renewed preparation ;
but, then, it can be much more easily adapted to the new circum-
stances. One cannot quote so largely from Scriptures, or from the
writings of others, prose and poetry ; but, passages which the
preacher has remembered are more likely to be remembered by his
hearers. The success of the sermon is largely dependent upon the
preacher's feelings at the time of delivery ; but he will oftener gain
than lose by this. There is danger of wearisome repetition ; for the
speaker may lose the slight trace of his previous imperfect think-
ings, and then circling around to find it, may strike in behind where
he left off. This is too often the case ; but only where there has
been inadequate preparation.

It is worthy of especial remark, that the disadvantages attendant
upon speaking extemporaneously can all be obviated by sufficient effort,
while in the other methods there are many inherent disadvantages
which may be lessened, but are in great measure twavoidable. . . But,
if the different topics and subdivisions, details and illustrations, are
arranged according to their natural sequence and connection, there
need be little anxiety about recalling, for each point will suggest
what is to follow. Thus too, the necessity of putting things to-
gether so that they can be remembered, will compel a man to find
out the true relations and natural order of his thoughts, when he
might otherwise shrink from the task. Instead of presenting a
meie conglomeration of ideas, it is better if we be forced to have
them in solution in the mind, that so they may crystallize according
to their own law. There may be exceptions in peculiar subjects ;
but, in general, a discourse which cannot easily be remembered has
been ill arranged, and details which do not readily present them-
selves were better omitted. For it is not everything that can be con-
nected with the subject, but only what naturally belongs to it, that
will contribute to the actual effect.

This, then, is the plan we recommend : to think over the subject
with all possible thoroughness, arranging its topics in the most
natural order ; to fix it in the mind, running over the arrangement
till the whole is familiar ; then going without paper into the pulpit
to stand up and speak.

J. B. JETER to J. A. B. :
RICHMOND, Jan. 29, 1855 : After due consideration, I have de-

126 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

clined accepting the chaplaincy of the University. I know nothing
that would be more pleasing to me than the prospect of spending two
sessions in a place recommended by so many advantages. I need
not state the considerations which have prevailed to prevent me from
enjoying this pleasure. They have fully satisfied my mind, but not
all the minds of all my friends. It is important that the post should
be well filled. . .

I still think thai you are the man, if any arrangements for supply-
ing your church can be made, best suited for the place.

I am gratified that my work on Campbellism meets your appro-
bation. It has been generally commended. Its reception at Bethany
1 have not yet learned. The Reformeis here have received it very
quietly. But when the keynote is sounded at Bethany, they will, I
presume, all strike vociferously into the same tone. I am really
anxious to learn what ground the Reformer will take in regard to it.

J. A. B. to S. MAUPIN :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, March 23, 1855 : I received your letter of $d
inst, announcing my election as chaplain. After long and anxious
deliberation, I have determined to accept the office. Amid the fears
with which one must look forward to the duties of so responsible a
position, it is pleasant to think of the opportunity it will afford me
for a freer, and, if that were possible, a more friendly intercourse
with the members of the faculty and their families.

J. A. B. to W. A. WHITESCARVER :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, March 26, 1855 : It has indeed been a long
time since we had any direct communication ; and it is now a week
since I received your letter. For three weeks past I have had great
anxiety and distress of mind. The faculty required me (by an elec-
tion) to decide whether I should be chaplain. Bro. J. B. Taylor
(Jeter has been doing so for a year) urged, when here in February,
that I should be chaplain, and retain my pastorate, procuring an
associate to preach Sundays. I took it into consideration ; became
satisfied that this plan would not answer, for the chaplaincy or for
me, even if for the church ; and then had to decide whether simply
to go or stay. Brother Taylor and Uncle William urged me to
accept. Brother and Abell were neutral. I did not write to you,
because expecting to be obliged to decide before I could receive an
answer ; various brethren of the church said they thought upon the
whole I would better do it ; and so, at the communion yesterday, I
announced that at the close of September I should resign, in order to

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 127

be chaplain. It was obliged to be known in college at once, and
indeed it had gone out in town that the thing was proposed, so I
thought it best to state the fact, and my reasons. The church has
not yet decided whether they will seek a " supply " or a new pastor
— it is hard to say which it is best for them to do.

It has cost me (and does still) much bitterness and grief ; but it
seems to be needful. It will be an injury to the church, but some
church had to lose its pastor. I shall gam nothing to myself, except
having more time for study and for careful preparation, no weeK
services, and three months' vacation ; and I greatly need time for
general religious and other reading. I have tried to do right— the
Rubicon is passed ; the Lord bless my dear people and my remain-
ing labors among them, and strengthen me for the duties of a most
responsible and trying position. Our children are rapidly recovering,

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

WILMINGTON, N. C., Tuesday morning, 6.30 o'clock, May 8,
1855 : We have been here an hour (in twenty hours had come three
hundred miles), have been to hotel and got breakfast, and now are
waiting on a little steamer that will cross presently the Cape Fear.

The Richmond men all left yesterday morning. Dickinson and I,
and L. W. Allen, the Goshen " bishop," are together. We hope to
reach Montgomery in the forenoon of Thursday.

ATLANTA, Wednesday evening, May 9, 1855 : Allen and Dickin-
son are somewhat amused at my frequent " bulletins." This takes
my last envelope.

I forgot to put in Notes of Sermons. Have been trying to-day to
call up a sermon, in case I should be bidden to preach. It isn't prob-
able, and I hope it will not be.1 I'll tell you all about what I see that
is interesting, when I return — yes, I actually will ; for I was affected
to-day by reading of a lawyer's wife, who complained that her hus-
band was so busy, and when at home so tired, that he never took
time to talk to her and pursue the studies together for which they
both had a taste, and her life was lonely. I believe I have done
wrong, even while meaning to do right.

MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS to MRS. BICKERS :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, June n, 1855 : I am sure that you feel anx-
ious to hear particularly how we enjoyed the June8 meetings, and I

1 He did preach In Methodist church, Montgomery, from Heb. a : a. Southern
Baptist Convention.
aThe new church In Charlottes vl He was ready In time.

128 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

shall have abundance to say on that subject, as I have my head full
of all its occurrences. . . We had staying with us Cousin Andrew
Broaddus, Rev. H. W. Dodge, Rev. Mr. Watkins, of Richmond,
Miss Leftwich, and Miss Hatcher, from Bedford County. Doctor
Gwathmey, of Richmond, stayed with us while he was here, and ma
stayed two nights. You will wonder how we managed to accommo-
date so many in our small house. 1 had a bedstead and trundle-bed
for the ladies. A bedstead and a bed on the floor for the gentlemen,
a lounge m a small room for another gentleman, and a pallet m Mr.
Broadus' study for us. The children I put in their mammy's room.
Doctor Gwathmey and mamma were not here the same nights, so

that we had plenty of room, as Mr. B could then occupy his place

and mamma stayed with me. I dreaded having so many persons to
provide for, being entirely without experience in such matters, but I
had no difficulty whatever. Mamma, l with her accustomed kindness,
helped me a great deal, and one day and night when I was quite in-
disposed, almost sick, she came and did all my work for me. 1 do
not believe there ever was a better person on the earth than she is. I
feel that I love her most sincerely, and surely she deserves my love.
I had a good many presents for the meeting. There came in from
the country one morning two dozen chickens, twelve dozen eggs,
several pounds of butter, and a fine ham and bacon, all from one
family, and that, one with which I have but little acquaintance.
Another friend sent me a gallon of milk every day and several
pounds of butter, another a turkey, and another some preserves.
Truly my heart swells with gratitude in recounting these acts of
kindness, which although intended for the supply of others besides
myself, still showed a degree of consideration which is not always
manifested. I suppose you have seen some account of the meetings.
I was not present at them all, but found them interesting whenever I
was present. You would have been gratified to see the favor with
which a speech of Mr. Broadus was received. I felt more proud of
him than ever before, and am sure it would have done your heart
good to see your brother the object of so much admiration. I am so
much afraid of seeming foolishly proud of Mr. Broadus that I don't
know that I have done right to say all this. But you feel too
lively an interest in all that pertains to him for me to fear your dis-
approbation. It must be a pleasure to you to know that he possesses
influence, and that it is all for good and not for evil. . .
I don't yet know what our plans for the summer will be* I want

1 Mrs. Somerville Broadus.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 129

to go to Culpeper, especially to see you in your new house, but I
can't tell yet. Mr. Broadus is to deliver an address before the young
ladies of the Richmond Female Institute, on the yth of this month-
then at the Buckingham Female Institute some time in July, and the
first Sunday in July he will preach the dedication sermon of the new
church at Cedar Run in Culpeper. I don't know how many other
engagements he may have for the summer, but I think he will be
quite busy just now preparing for what he has already on hand.

Lida and Annie are both well and hearty. To see Lida, one would
hardly imagine she had ever been sick, and Annie has improved
greatly since she got all her teeth. I don't think she is as pretty as
when a, very young baby, but she is thought to be very much
like Mr. Broadus, and that will make her good-looking enough.

J. A. B. to W. A. WHITESCARVER :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, June 18, 1855 : I will try to get the plan of
our belfry— it is horribly ugly, I think, but de gustibus. Besides, no
belfry ever was pretty.

The church have determined, and I have agreed, that I shall con-
tinue to be pastor, but be released, by resolution, from all obligation
to perform pulpit or pastoral duty for two years from Oct. i, next —
and that they will employ an associate pastor. I stated (in writing)
that I " confidently calculate " on resuming official duties at the end
of two years, but could not pledge myself — since that would be to
forestall Providence.

Jas. B. Taylor suggested the plan, before he left. Doctors Cabell,
McGuffey, and Harrison approved it. I am not certain that it is
best, but it seems so, and it is done. Unanimous vote in the (large)
church meeting— but two or three persons secretly dissatisfied. I
stated distinctly that I did not ask the church to do it, nor recom-
mend it ; I was willing to make such an arrangement, if the church
thought it desirable ; and they must decide.

They tried Geo. B. Taylor, for associate, but he was already en-
gaged to go to Baltimore. Committee appointed have not yet sug-
gested another— most are in favor of Dickinson, as I am ; but we
shall not get unanimity upon anything or anybody. A time of pas-
toral selection is a time when the bonds of the church bundle are un-
loosed, and all the crooked sticks begin to roll about and show their
crookedness. If we can just get them well tied up again, they will
lie still.

All this, of course, between you and me. I am in no little trouble
for the church. I have tried to do right, with more purity of motives,

130 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

I think, thanj often attain. May God direct, or overrule, the whole
matter to his glory !

I regret to have had so little time to talk with you during the meet-
ings—feel like I hadn't seen you at all. I remember nothing very
distinctly except that I several times made a convenience of you,
but my hands were too full then, for any use.

I wish we could be together some days again — when shall it be?

Rumor says you will be married.1 I do not inquire whether it is
so, but simply claim a sort of right, if ever it should happen, to be
the parson — and you must let me know a good while beforehand.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Monday night, July 9, 1855 : Preached yes-
terday with rather poor success,— Mr. Meade had a cold,— large con-
gregation in the morning, respectable at night. Have been run very
hard to-day with a multitude of little matters, and am completely
broken down. It's a distressing thing to be counted a smart young
man, and have to be going about speechifying when one is tired
beyond endurance. And then to come home Friday night, and have
to preach twice on Sunday. Well, a stout heart, and old sermons,
can conquer many difficulties.

When I get home, and hear from you, and see how matters are
going, I can decide whether to come over next week after you. If
you wish to stay till the week following, write it at once, that I may
know upon returning.

2 1 knew him first and best at Charlottesville in the life of his first
wife, who was Maria Harrison, daughter of the great Doctor Harri-
son. He was then pastor of the Charlottesville Baptist Church, and
near the close of 1855 became chaplain of the University of Virginia.
He was then about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years of age.
The Presbyterian pastor, J. Henry Smith, D. D., long pastor at
Greensboro, N. C. (still alive5 and well), was seven or eight years
older. With these two men the writer, smartly their junior, had
most delightful friendly and brotherly intercourse, and from them
derived much beneficial information and stimulation. The kindness
and courteous friendliness of those days extended to these days of
old age with us all, though I have met Doctor Broadus but seldom
in many years.

1 Mr. Whitescarver was married in the autumn to Miss Sallie Perkins.

8 Rev. Paul Wtntehead in " Richmond Christian Advocate/* March at, 1895.

1 Now deceased.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 131

During those happy times at Charlottesville a Literary-Theologi-
cal Club was formed, which, besides those named, embraced such
men as James C. Southall, Dr. William Dinwiddie, Bishop Latane,
the Davises ( Eugene and Dabney ), Judge Egbert Watson, Mr. Frank
Carr, Mr. Hardm Massie. All too soon it was dissolved by losses
and changes of residence.

RICHMOND, VA., Tuesday, i o'clock : Heard Thackeray last night
— interesting affair, many fire-crackers of wit, a most unjust account
of the personages introduced, because he must needs be satirical, and
the most miserably bad reading I ever heard or dreamed of. I like
his books, and I went, as every body else does, only to see Thack*
eray.

J. A. B. to W. A. WHITESCARVER :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Feb. 4, 1856 : Your letter reached me
in ten days after its date, which is doing very well for these snowy
times. We were sorry you couldn't come at Christmas, but of course
it was impracticable, Who ever saw such a spell of weather as from
that time to this? They are trying to get up a S. S. Convention of
Albemarle Association churches, to be held in Charlottesville in
April ; may we not count on the visit then?

I don't think of anything in our recent doings or sufferings here
that is particularly worth reporting. The Christmas holiday appears
to have destroyed all special seriousness in college, as I feared it
would. I can find no heart to hope now for any general revival dur-
ing this session. Yet, oh, if it might be so ! I know of some eight
students who have professed conversion during the session ; three in
connection with the Baptist meetings ; three with the Presbyterians ;
and two without any special* influences. I have taken great pains to
ascertain the exact number of religious students, which has never
been done before. Thus far, I know of about ninety-five (it will
probably reach one hundred) distributed, as nearly as I recollect,
(the list not being before me) as follows : Baptists, thirty-six ; Pres-
byterians, twenty^seven; Methodists, eighteen ; Episcopal, ten ; other
denominations, four.

I expected, when I determined to come here, to do much study in
general. Thus far, I have done hardly anything.

Samson's lectures in Charlottesville were very interesting, but
poorly attended. The weather was bad, and Thackeray was here
at the same time. The church is, so far as I can judge, doing very
well.

132 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS:

STRASBURG, April 29, 1856 : I reached here at 12.30 all right.
Should like to write a good deal, but the General Division meets
again at 7 30, and I haven't time. They hadn't many on hand this
morning, and as folks here dine early, they concluded to wait for me.
I got through the afternoon session well enough. My report will
not produce any bad feeling or excite any opposition— indeed, I
think the majority of those in attendance would quite agree with
me. I shall have to make a speech to-morrow or the next day ; tried
to think about it coming up this morning, and shall try again to-mor-
row morning. Can't do much, but may find some things to say.
Mingling with temperance men naturally excites more interest in the
subject than common, and this place is greatly in need of such effort.
Coming up this morning, I passed a familiar spot. In a gorge of
the mountains, between the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah, there is
a little rocky stream winding along for two or three miles, till the
ravine widens into a narrow plain, and the stream enters the river.
A bridle path, almost impassable for wheels, runs along beside and
often across the stream, to the ford of the river. It was my road
from Culpeper to Clarke. Many a time, in company and alone, I
rode up or down that ravine, counting how often we crossed the
stream (I never could determine whether it was seventeen or eighteen
times), fording the river, two hundred yards wide, with a timidity I
could never fully overcome ; very sad, as drawing a lengthening
chain when I was going away from home, mother, sisters, and with
a painful longing when going the other way, to be at the long jour-
ney's end. Many wandering thoughts would pass across my mind
as I journeyed there alone, many wild dreams in that wild spot, of
education, of competence, of reputation, which I never dared to hope
could be realized. To-day I found, by inquiry, that we should pass
the spot, and looked eagerly as we passed one mountain gorge after
another, till I saw the turn of the well-remembered path and stream,
and presently the opening vale, and in the distance a reach of the
river, gleaming in the sun. My heart swelled with an emotion
rarely felt ; the thoughts of years long passed came trooping back —
the ambitious but despairing dreams of youth were remembered as if
I had just waked from the dreaming ; and Maria ! I thought, and
tried to be grateful, that Providence has done almost more for me
than I dreamed. Educational advantages, such as I then did not
think of, pecuniary means which then would have seemed to me
fortune, reputation, more than I deserve or can support— a loved wife,

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY If 3 3

whose excellencies grow greater and whose faults grow less, not only
in my eyes but in fact, with each advancing year, and dear little
children to twine their arms about me and tell how much they love
me — what is there that I have not in sufficient measure to make me
happy and grateful?

Pray for me, dear wife, that my soul may prosper, and that I may
be useful.

CHAPTER VIII
CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY— CONTINUED

For he was ours. How, happily surrounded,
Each favoring hour revealed his lofty mind ;

How sometimes grace and cheerfulness abounded,
In mutual talk with earnestness combined ;

And sometimes daring thought, with power unbounded
Life's deepest sense and highest plan divined,—

AH in rich fruits of act and counsel shown,—

This have we oft enjoyed, experienced, known.

—Goetbe. tr. by James Freeman Clarke.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, May 19, 1856 : I have not found the
position of Chaplain so favorable for general study as I had hoped.
To preach twice every Sunday, where one must be thoroughly
practical and yet must have some freshness in the modes of pre-
senting truth, demands much time for preparation. Visiting, not
only in the resident families, but among the students, might be pur-
sued without limit, and is here, not less than in ordinary congrega-
tions, an important means of usefulness. And then, besides a good
deal of work upon committees, boards, etc., I have found it impos-
sible to avoid giving a considerable amount of attention to the inter-
ests of the church in Charlottesville, which under the very active
and zealous labors of Brother Dickinson, is still in a remarkably
flourishing condition.

My labors at the University have not been attended, thus far,
with any very manifest and decided results. I often feel inclined to
great despondency, especially of late. I try to hope that what I
have cast upon the waters will come again after many days, but it
is very hard to be hopeful and zealous where no fruit appears. The
two great difficulties or rather trials about a position like this, are :
That nobody expects immediate results, and that there is no organ-
ized body of believers. Many Christians there are, among faculty
and students, who feel a lively interest in the Chaplain's efforts, but
there can be little unity of action and of feeling, not only because of
134

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 135

denominational differences, but because their association with each
other is temporary.

Yet I really enjoy my position, with all its trials, for there are
peculiar pleasures too. I humbly hope that, if spared, the Lord may
bless my labors during next session more abundantly.

Mr. Broadus had been appointed to deliver the address
before the Society of Alumni of the University of Vir-
ginia on June 25 . He chose as his subject, ' € Education in
Athens." The publication of the address was called for
by the Society, and it was issued at their expense. This
address appears in his volume of "Sermons and Ad-
dresses." Its closing sentence is a noble appeal :

But it is in the power of us all, so to cherish the spirit of letters,
so to prove the value of the training here received, that this noble
institution, which made us proud and happy in younger years by
the bestowal of her unrivaled honors, may at least to some extent
receive honor in return from the achievements of our ripened man-
hood and our advancing age.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

BATH CO , Aug. 2, 1856 . . . Ascending the Warm Spring Moun-
tain, I saw in a stage window the dusty face of Summerfield Smith,
I suppose on his way home. The stage was rattling down, and there
was no time for anything but a smile, a wave of the hand, and a

shout, and away they went. At the Warm Springs, found E and

Mrs. L just setting out for the " Red Sweet." He was on the por-
tico as I walked in (to see Colonel Ward) and our greeting was over-
whelmingly affectionate. It was a sight to see. My old coat was
buttoned and pinned up to keep the dust off my vest, and it and the
ugly pants were covered with dust, face ditto. Suddenly I met the
bride. A cry of joy— friends long parted met again— hearty and
long-continued shake of the hand, impassioned and repeated expres-
sions of delight, numerous inquiries, as to whence, and when, and
whither, introduction straightway to three fine ladies with whom she
had been talking, dusty hat lifted, dusty face wreathed in smiles,
renewed protestations of delight on both sides— sure it was a specta-
cle. Afterwards, on the road to the Hot Springs, we passed them,
with two other persons in the coach, who looked like a newly-mar-
ried pair too. . .

136 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

At Healing, stopped a moment, went down to the Spring, and met
Mr. Smith. After I got into the buggy, happened to spy Mary on a
visit to a cabin hard by. She seemed in fine spirits, expressed her-
self pleased with the place, and certainly looks better than she has
done for some years. She had all the glow and freshness of look
which belonged to her girlhood— partly due, doubtless to the anima-
tion of meeting a friend.

RICHMOND, 2 o'clock, Friday, Oct. 25, 1856: I went to see
various people— among others the Magills, at Dr. Tucker's. On
Sunday must preach at First Church in morning, and if anywhere
will preach at Dr. Jeter's at night. I have long been anxious to go
to the African church, but can't do it without the risk of having to
preach ; and three sermons on Sunday would disqualify me for Mon-
day night. Monday I want to go to the Richmond College for the
first time.

Read this morning in W. Gilmore Simms' poetical works his
tragedy of Herman Maurice. It seems to me to evince not only
considerable dramatic power, but real poetic talent. Hadn't time to
read anything else in the volume.

All insist that if it is a good night I must have a good audience
Monday.1

Lute is very nicely fixed indeed, and they seem quite happy. Ex-
press great joy at my having to stay.

Saw the Thomases last night and received a good scolding for
running away from home.

FREDERICKSBURG, November 5, 1856: I feel proud of having
such a wife, who has not only mind and knowledge and character,
such as 1 am sure will make her in the end a successful teacher, but
^who will urge her husband to cling to the ministry, though it must
'keep her in poverty, and even sometimes require, as now, that she
should toil beyond her strength to eke out the inadequate support.
Precious wife, my heart bleeds when I think of her fatigues and dis-
tress, of all her sacrifice and self-denial, met without any affectation
of heroism, met with all the shrinking of a sensitive and delicate
woman, not made to stand alone in the world, and yet with all the
firmness and fortitude of a noble heart. People sometimes speak of
my making sacrifices in order to preach, but I am apt to think in my
heart, it is not I, it is my wife that bears the cross. . .

I made an exhortation at the prayer meeting yesterday afternoon,

1 Lecture to raise money to improve the parsonage at the University.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 137

upon the need of the Spirit to convince the people of sin. Preached
at night upon i Peter 2 : 7, 8. Did not feel as much tenderness as
the subject ought to inspire. Oh, that I could myself be deeply
moved by the preciousness of religion and the perilous condition of
those who neglect it !

FREDERICKSBURG, Thursday, Nov. 6, 1856: I am greatly
pleased at receiving your letter when we returned from church last
night, and so just about twenty-four hours from the time you sat
down to write. You have been getting on better than I expected,
and I was comforted. . .

I preached last night the sermon on Pleasure and Pride, Acts
17 : 18. Very fair congregation, and remarkably good attention. I
had more '* liberty " than heretofore. One young lady came for-
ward for prayer — it was the first time an invitation had been given.
Oh, that I could preach to-night with tender interest in the salva-
tion of those who hear ! . .

Quite a number of persons have expressed regret that I did not
bring Mrs. Broadus with me, who seems to be a person of conse-
quence in their estimation. I have devised the scheme that we shall
come to the Potomac Association, which meets here early in next
August. If the Lord will, it may be a pleasant trip.

FREDERICKSBURG, Nov. 10, 1856 : I am to leave to-night by the
cars and boat to Alexandria, and thence to Culpeper— home on Wed-
nesday. Several persons have professed conversion, and a few
others manifest interest. I have written declining Doctor Jeter's in-
vitation. The Lord bless you all, and help me to preach to-night as
one that must give account

ALEXANDRIA, Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 1856: It is ten o'clock,
and I am very comfortable in brother's parlor. . . I find, to my in-
expressible annoyance, that everybody thinks my visit was re-
quested with at least some view to a possible connection with the
church. Perfectly conscious, however, of having acted with self-
respect, and having had no dream of such a thing when I accepted
the invitation, I am trying to take it quietly.

PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1856 : Your letter was ready
when I got to Mr. Tucker's. Your grandma received me (literally)
with open arms, and I submitted to the embrace as meekly as pos-
sible. They are all quite well, Mrs. T being rather better than

common. . , Mr, T very kindly took me this morning to Doctor

138 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Shaw's, who has a fine collection of works of art. I enjoyed it very

much, though Mr* T could not stay long. Doctor S says

he was at the University soon after its establishment.

Afterward, at the Academy of Arts, I had three hours of rare en-
joyment After dinner, George went with me down to Lee &
Walker's, and I got two or three pieces of music, which I hoped you
might find easy enough for your time, and to your taste. George
didn't know certainly, and we could only go by the composer and
the looks ; so don't be disappointed if none of them suit you. There
is a piece by Thaiberg, another by Gottschalk. . .

I am going to-night to hear Thaiberg, who is giving concerts.
Have some headache though, and shall not enjoy it so much.

NEW YORK, Friday, Dec. 5, 1856: It is nine o'clock, A. M., and
I write in my room, previous to going out again into the streets of
the great city. I reached here in safety, and have been most kindly
received. . . Went last night to the St. Nicholas, where I met John
Clark, then spent a long time at the Dusseldorf Gallery, which I
must visit again, several paintings of the collection being very beau-
tiful. Then we strolled up and down Broadway, looking at mag-
nificent buildings and famous localities and hurrying crowds, till I
felt that I was indeed in New York. After all, there is some gain
as well as much loss, in living to mature years before one sees any-
thing of the great world. The impression is powerful, almost over-
whelming, but one gains much by the sharpness of the contrast, and
by comparing the results of his reading and dreaming with things
as they are. If I had a month to spend here, and you with me, the
visit might be made very profitable as well as pleasing.

NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 1856 : Preached in the morning on " Looking
unto Jesus," and in the afternoon on the " Publican's Prayer."
Good congregation and very attentive. I suppose, from appearances
and incidental expressions, that the people were quite well pleased
with the brother from Virginia. At night, a little prayer-meeting,
at which I attempted a talk, and bungled it sufficiently. Took tea
with Doctor Devan, who corresponded with me ; he is a returned
missionary, a sensible man, and pleasant family. Had considerable
talk with a Brother Smith, who was there, about slavery. Of
course I told them the plain truth, as they asked me about the facts
and the principles of "the institution," the sentiments of Baptist
ministers in Virginia, including myself, etc. They were not fanat-
ical folks, and we talked on quite smoothly.1 . .

1 He had been invited to supply a few Sundays for the First Church, New York.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 139

I am to lecture (that is, preach a week-night sermon) on Tuesday
night, and Wednesday morning I will start home.

The chair of ancient languages in the University had
been divided in 1855, Dr. Harrison retaining the Latin.
The chair of Greek would have been given to Mr.
Broadus if he had allowed it. Mrs. Broadus took natural
pride in the growing power of her husband, who used to
say that the only time he ever saw her really angry was
when she was told of some slighting remark by a prom-
inent teacher. " Just to think of his saying that, when
he only has his position because my husband wouldn't
have it." After the war he was offered the professor-
ship of moral philosophy. Professor Smith says that the
position of chancellor would have been created and given
him, if he would have taken it. Nothing was too good
for him at the University.

In the beginning of 1857 Mr. Broadus wrote a friend
that there was much religious interest in the University.
He had undertaken to write frequently for the " Religious
Herald," under the signature "X. X." His brother wrote
to him that the necessity of studying theology without
going to a seminary had given him a hard time and urged
him to write books now that he had become something
of a theologian. How John A. Broadus would have re-
joiced at the chance to go to a seminary ! At the same
time Rev. W. D. Thomas wrote of his difficulty in doing
systematic study in his work in Caroline, and told of the
books he was reading.

J, B. JETER to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, April 14, 1857 : I am glad to hear that you are going
to the Convention. We shall leave here for Washington on Monday
morning after the first Lord's Day in May. By so doing we shall
reach Louisville, I learn, on Wednesday evening. The carrying out
of this arrangement depends, however, on the time of the meeting of
the theological convention. We are in doubt about the time of its

140 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

assembling— some think the time is not specified— others that Tues-
day previous to the meeting of the Convention is the time. I will
endeavor to find out.

I was pleased with your late article. I hope you will mature some
plan— be able to propose some definite course of action. I am so
lamentably destitute of education, both secular and theological, that
I can do little more than give my countenance to the enterprise.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARIA C. BROADUS :

LOUISVILLE, Monday morning, May n, 1857: The theological
convention reached a remarkably harmonious conclusion, determin-
ing to build up an institution at Greenville, S. C. I am one of five
to report, twelve months hence, a plan of organization of the institu-
tion. I am glad to be on the committee, though it will be a most
difficult task, everything for the success and usefulness of the insti-
tution depending on its system of instruction.1

Last night I spoke, with Doctor Burrows and A. M. Poindexter,
at the great foreign mission meeting at the leading Baptist church.
Got through tolerably well, better than I had expected. Uncle
Andrew and some other persons having urged it, I am to preach to-
night at one of the churches.

I shall not write again. We expect to leave on Wednesday
morning, and are thinking of going to Lexington, Ky., instead of
returning through Indiana and Ohio, so as to get a glimpse of the
finest country in the United States. We want to stop half a day at
Harper's Ferry, if possible, and reach home on Saturday. The good
Lord protect us all, and grant us a happy meeting at home.

DR. PHILIP SCHAFF to J. A. B. :

MERCERSBURG, PA., May 30, 1857 : Your favor of May 26, was
duly received last night, together with a copy of the catalogue of
your University for the current year, for which please accept my
thanks . . I always had a desire to see that institution in active
operation, and intend to visit it as soon as I can make it convenient,
perhaps in the next year, if God spares my life. I have some slight
acquaintance with one of the professors (Schele de Vere), not per-
sonal, but through common friends at Lancaster. I have also an

1 " See Memoir of Boyce," p. is?/., for account of this important Educational Con-
vention which really established the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary We
shall make no attempt to give a formal history of the Seminary. Doctor Broadus
has done that sufficiently in his " Memoir of Boyce.' ' Doctor Broadus's own relation
to the Seminary will, of course, be brought out.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 141

urgent invitation to attend the examination of the Episcopal Semi-
nary, at Alexandria, in June next, but I doubt my ability to go there
this year.

As to your request. I shall cheerfully send you a catalogue of our
seminary as soon as it shall make its appearance. . .

I try to combine in my department the German lecture system
with the American catechetical method, and always found it to work
very well with my students. For instance, I lecture four times a
week on church history, and devote one hour every week to exam-
ination, recommending the students at the same time to consult be-
sides their own notes such works as are within their reach. I find,
upon the whole, that the taking of notes from free lectures is the
best mode of mental appropriation and digestion, and keeps the at-
tention more alive than the mechanical use of text-books. The
lecture system is of course far more laborious to the teacher, but it
develops his whole strength and energy and imparts to his instruc-
tion more freshness and vivacity.

I thank you for your kind sentiments concerning my publications.
I am now hard at work on a " Manual of Church History/' in three
volumes, for the use of theological seminaries, and hope to be able
to send Vol. I. (embracing the first six centuries) to press within
one year.

JAMES EDMUNDS and W. B. CALDWELL to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., June i, 1857 : The undersigned, one a member
of the Walnut Street Baptist Church, and the other a member of the
Jefferson Street Baptist Church, both of this city, address you this
note in a private and confidential way in hope to prepare the way for
the more public correspondence which we hope will result. The im-
portance of this city and the vast influence it is destined to exert on
this great valley are open to all who visit this neighborhood. You
are aware that one strong Baptist church has been raised up heie
within the last two years. Our desire and the desire of many lead-
ing brethren here is to raise up another equal to it. We believe it is
easier to raise a strong church than a weak one. Our heavenly
Father is pleased when we ask great things of him. The pastor of
the Jefferson Street Church has resigned and will leave the first of
August next. They have a comfortable house on leased ground for
the next four years. They have selected the best vacant lot m the
city and have nearly completed a subscription of five thousand five
hundred dollars to pay for it. This lot has a vestry on it. The
Walnut Street Church have completed their house and are now en-

142 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

gaged in assisting to buy the lot with a view of building a good
house on it for the Jefferson Street Church. The Walnut Street
brethren feel that it is their work to see now a first-rate church and
a first-rate house for the Jefferson Street Church.

Several meetings of the leading brethren of the Walnut Street
Church with brethren of the Jefferson Street Church have been held
to consult on the whole movement. The plan is to call such a pastor
as both churches can cordially sustain in carrying out their plans.
You are the unanimous choice of all. We wish to begin a corre-
spondence with you and keep you informed of what we are doing
and what we hope. Do you ever look toward this great valley, this
seat of future empire? What do you think of Louisville? Is your
heart in such a movement as we contemplate? Will you talk with
us on the subject? Will you write us? . .

No city in the Union is more healthy than this. Its population is
steadily increasing. A Baptist population surrounds it. The Bap-
tists are growing strong here. We think they have it in their
power to do much for the cause of the Master in this valley. We
are confident here is a great field for a young man to do a great
work for the Master. We believe you are the man to do it.

JAMES P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., June i, 1857: I send by this mail a cata-
logue of the plan of the theological department I arranged at the
time of my accession here upon the supposition that we would have
at least two, but never more than three, professors. A great many
things need to be added for the ordinary instruction as well as for a
course of higher and of lower study. But I think you can gather
enough of my ideas here to judge as to our substantial agreement.

June 3 a petition, signed by forty of the prominent
students, was handed Mr. Broadus requesting the publi-
cation of the sermon preached the previous Sunday
morning. The text was Eph. 3 : 8. The professors urged
its publication also. So it was published in pamphlet
form, and can be seen in Broadus's ''Sermons and Ad-
dresses," under the title of "The Apostle Paul as a
Preacher." There were many Baptist students at the
University during these years mainly because of Broadus's
influence and reputation ; among these can be noticed,

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 143

H. H. Harris, J. C. Hiden, Thomas Hume (who wrote the
constitution of the earliest college Y. M. C. A.), J. L. John-
son, J. M. Harris, Jeter George, J. W. Jones, C. H. Win-
ston, etc. Broadus made a lasting impress upon the men
while chaplain. One day at the University, after he was
no longer chaplain, a very accomplished skeptic from Cal-
ifornia said : " Where is Broadus ? He is the only man
who ever affected me about religion." " Tradition1 still
tells of those fruitful years, in which the young preacher,
enriched by the learning of the school, and the spiritual
experiences of his pastorate, crowded the public hall of
the University with congregations of listening youth, and
melted to love and penitence those ingenuous souls."

While2 preaching in Texas he [J. A. B.] was informed that a lady
desired an interview with him. He made an appointment, and she
came leading a little boy about eleven years of age by her side. She
soon informed the doctor that her husband, now deceased, was a
student in the University of Virginia when the preacher was chap-
lain there— that he was awakened and led to Christ by his sermons.
He was in the habit, before she became acquainted with him, of
repeating many of the sentences of those sermons in his father's
family, and when married, he would rehearse to her the thoughts
that made such a deep impression on his mind. Since his death the
widow and mother had been teaching the preacher's words to the
little boy. Doctor Broadus said : " The heart of the preacher might
well melt in his bosom at the story. To think that your poor words,
which you yourself had wholly forgotten, which you could never
have imagined had vitality enough for that, had been repeated
among strangers, had been repeated by the young man to his
parents, lepeated by the young widow to the child— your poor words
thus mighty because they were God's truth you were trying to
speak, and because you had humbly sought God's blessing."

Mr. Dickinson's work with the Charlottesville Church
was greatly successful, and he is beloved there to this
day. He occupied a delicate position, but he made things

i Prof. Wn>. M. Thornton, In " Alumni Bulletin/1 May, 1895.
8 Nelson B. Jones, In " Baptist Courier," April n, 1895.

144 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

go. He gave himself largely to pastoral work and there
was a great revival during his stay with the church, con-
ducted by Doctor Cornelius Tyree. There were over a
hundred conversions. Mr. Dickinson was elected Super-
intendent of Colportage and Sunday-schools for the State.
When he left in September, the church passed resolu-
tions of warm appreciation.

The last of June Rev. Basil Manly wrote to Mr. Broadus
to know if the committee about the seminary could meet
in Richmond the last of August. This committee, ap-
pointed in Louisville, consisted of J. P. Boyce, John A.
Broadus, B. Manly, Jr., E. T. Winkler, and William Wil-
liams. In July Mr. Broadus went to the Hot Springs and
the White Sulphur with his wife, whose health was fail-
ing, but the first of August he met Boyce and Manly in
Richmond to formulate plans for the new theological
seminary set on foot by the educational convention in
Louisville. Mr. Boyce brought an outline of the "legal
and practical arrangements," Mr. Manly had drawn the
"abstract of doctrines and principles " for the professors
to sign, and Mr. Broadus presented the plan of instruc-
tion, modeled after the University of Virginia's elective
system. The other two members of the committee were
absent. Boyce and Manly were both familiar with the
curriculum system at Brown, Newton, and Princeton.
But Broadus was so enthusiastic in his advocacy of the
elective system that he completely won them over. He
urged strongly that the success of a new seminary de-
pended more upon wisdom in the plan of instruction than
anything else. So, as Mr. Jefferson had drawn a new
American university, Mr. Broadus drew a new American
seminary, which had in it adaptability and expansion,
the possibility of becoming a theological university.1

1 See Broadus 's " Memoir of James P. Boyce/' p. 150 /

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 145

The rest of August was spent with Mrs. Broadus at the
Salt Sulphur and Red Sweet Springs and in Culpeper.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALI AFERRO:

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, July 28, 1857: I came to the moun-
tains for Mrs. B.'s health, which is ladically bad, and enfeebled by
her teaching during the past session. We stayed a week at the
Hot, and have been two weeks here. She is just beginning to ex-
perience some slight improvement here. On to-morrow we leave for
the Salt Sulphur, which we hope to find still more serviceable. I
shall have to leave her the last of the week, to meet a committee in
Richmond for a few days. You doubtless noticed the movement
to establish a theological seminary at Greenville, S. C. A com-
mittee of five was appointed to prepare and report a plan of organi-
zation. Two brethren from South Carolina and one from Georgia
are to meet Bro. Manly and myself in Richmond, next week, to con-
sider together what certainly is a very important and very difficult
question. To provide an institution which shall at once furnish
thorough and extensive training to those who want it, and a little
help to those who have desire and preparation for but little, must
of course be difficult. I hope we shall be able to meet the con-
ditions of the question by a plan modeled upon that of the Ger-
man institutions and our University, having independent depart-
ments, and allowing the student to choose among them according
to his taste and preparation. In this way too, we may in some
measure counteract the tendency to formalism, to making men all
on one pattern, which has so commonly characterized the theologi-
cal seminaries of the country.

I should be quite unwilling, if it were possible, to see it required of
our ministers to have any particular amount of education, general or
special. If the Baptists and Methodists had done this, as our Pres-
byterian and Episcopal brethren have done, what would have be-
come of the great masses of the people in our country? I have
considerable hope that our proposed institution may be rendered
attractive to young brethren, and thus have students, the lack of
which important element has seriously interfered with the success
of many seminaries.

I do not apologize for writing about all this to a lady. I know
you are interested in whatever concerns the increased efficiency of
our ministry.

Our Female Institute at Charlottesville has now very encourag-

146 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

ing prospects. It did much more than I had expected, amid all the
difficulties of a first session. The instruction is more thorough, as
well as more extensive in each particular subject, than in any other
female school with which I am acquainted. . .

1 preached here last Sunday morning, and found pleasure in the
thought that there is really more piety among those who frequent
watering-places than a superficial observation leads us to suppose.
Mere giddiness and folly make themselves so obtrusively promi-
nent, that one forgets how much quiet piety there may be, pursuing
the even tenor of its way, and it is delightful to see that many, even
amid unfavorable associations and surroundings, take the most
lively interest in the exercises of devotion, and the most practical
truths of the gospel. . .

On the first of October, I am to resume pastoral duties in Char-
lottesville. The brethren have been very kind in purchasing a
parsonage, which they propose fitting up for us, and which will
form a very pleasant residence. Mrs. B. is delighted with the
prospect of having so desirable a home. It is a great work that
awaits me, and I feel like asking the special prayers of all Chris-
tians whom I may venture to consider peculiarly my friends that
I may be strengthened for it, and my labors not be in vain. The
church is numerous, and there are many young members needing to
be trained in the habits of piety, as well as many in the congrega-
tion still unconverted.

On October 21, Mrs. Broadus died, after only a week's
illness. The Sunday before Mr. Broadus had preached
on the "exceeding great and precious promises " (2 Peter
1:4). He had recently also preached on the habit of
thankfulness.1 The Sunday after his wife's death he
lay prostrate with grief. One of his brethren came, quot-
ing tenderly the message : " In everything give thanks."
On November i, Mr. Broadus preached again. His text
was Matt. 12 : 20: " A bruised reed shall he not break,
and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth
judgment unto victory." When Mr. Broadus told his
wife that she was dying, she said simply : " Well, tell
me about Jesus." She was not quite twenty -six years

1 See " Sermons and Addresses."

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 147

old and left three little girls, Eliza Somerville, Annie
Harrison, and Maria Louisa, the youngest, about a year
old.

G. B. TAYLOR to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, Oct. 26, 1857 : I have wanted just to assure you
that my heart has sorrowed with yours, and for you, in this the
season of your sore affliction ; that I have felt afflicted in the sad
bereavement of my beloved brother, that I have been constantly
praying that " the God of all comfort" may by his own Spirit com-
fort you, and cause your baptism of sorrow to be of sanctifying
efficacy.

From November 30 to December 10, 1857, Mr. Broadus
conducted a protracted meeting with the Grace Street
Church, Richmond, Dr. Jeter's church. Dr. W. E.
Hatcher was then a student at Richmond College and
heard him. He says :

He thrilled the people with immense magnetism. For weeks
afterwards I found myself saying things like Broadus. He threw
a matchless spell over people that carried them away. Forty years
ago people would worship Broadus, as the most wonderful thing you
ever heard. In his later years you went away melted with tender
reverence. There was not more intensity of manner in the early
years, but he emitted power more continuously. He was not so
pathetic then as later. He never trifled with his feelings. He pre-
served his emotions fresh and sweet and there were refined piety and
the emotion of the Holy Spirit. Men imitated him in later life. He
was an artist. Art and nature were married. He said he never
dared to preach unless he could spend at least two sober hours in
immediate preparation. Dr. Jeter could preach with little prepare
tion. He would beat around a good while, but Broadus always
pitched right in, gathered force, and grew to the end.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Feb. 15, 1858: Suppose you come down to see
me the 22d. You know by common consent that day has been
moved bodily to Richmond, for this time, and it won't be anywhere
else. So come, and spend it with me.

To tell the truth, I don't care very much about it being Washing-

148 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

ton's Birthday, or the statue, or the speechifying, and other demon-
strations of a noisy character on brass and sheepskin ; but if you
will come down we can have a chat about our work committed to
us— that creed, schedule of theological studies, etc. I can't go to
work at it, till I feel I have got it to do ; because there is nearly
always something else pressing, knocking at the door, pleading,
" let me in now," " attend to me " ; and so the quiet visitor, who
can be put off is postponed indefinitely. In short I need the "fire
coal on my back," and if you will come down, and spend a week
with me, we can spend the time pleasantly, and do our work besides.
I heard you were sick recently, I hope you are well again. Let
me hear from you.

Mr. Broadus attended the Educational Convention in
Greenville, S. C., May i, 1858. This Convention for-
mally established the Southern Baptist Theological Sem-
inary.1 Four professors were elected, J. P. Boyce, J.
A. Broadus, B. Manly, Jr., and E. T. Winkler. The mo-
mentous question was thus thrust upon Mr. Broadus.

WM. P. PARISH to J. A. B. :

VERDANT LAWN, VA., May 8, 1858; I feel deeply grieved to
learn you entertain the thought of accepting a professorship in the
Greenville Theological School about to be established m that place.
It gave me much trouble in my wakeful hours last night, and I can-
not bring my mind to the conclusion you will leave. In the first
place if you give up the ministry for a professorship you ought to
have accepted the one offered at the University, much more satis-
factory I suppose as far as friends and location etc., are concerned.
You may say this is a theological school to prepare young ministers
for preaching. Concede all its friends claim for it, cannot men be
found to answer well as teachers in the different departments pro-
posed to be taught competent to the task, who can't hold out in
preaching, for instance?

To take valuable ministers from prominent positions to teach
twenty or thirty young men to become preachers, many of whom
are made worse by it, and none benefited (as those who have minds
are tied down to what they learn), is too great a sacrifice. Who are
the most valuable ministers of our denomination? Certainly not
those who have received a theological education. Educate men and

1 Sec Broadus, " Memoir of Boyce," pp 151-153.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 149

God will make ministers. You will leave the most important posi-
tion known to the denomination, and the only minister of my know-
ing that can reach the young men coming to the University, thus
sending out an influence beyond anything you can hope for at
Greenville College, to say nothing of the church in Charlottesville,
which is much more important. Then here is a female institute,
which m my humble opinion will do more good than all the theolog-
ical schools in the United States.

The Lord may design to remove you for a wise purpose, to teach
the church they should have no idols and that other ministers may
be heard with interest. I hope the church and people may, like the
people of Nineveh, repent m sackcloth and ashes, and that the good
Lord may avert the calamity likely to befall it.

A paper was drawn up by a voluntary committee of
the church, protesting against his leaving. One of the
arguments used was the following :

Then as to extent of influence, we doubt whether there shall be
really any wider field at Greenville than here ; even if it be so, the
case stands thus : Another man may be found to supply the place at
Greenville, and the denomination and the cause of truth then lose
but the difference between the influence for good exercised by such a
man, and that which we believe would there be exercised by our
pastor. But take away our pastor. There is left a vacancy which
we honestly think no other man in the denomination can at all fill.
His relations in past time and now to the University, give him an
access to the great mass of mind there, sanctified and unsanctified,
which no other man in our denomination can have — which no other
pastor in Charlottesville has, or can have, so long as the men remain
the same. Surely it were great loss to us and Baptists everywhere
to lose this advantage. We regard this loss inevitable if our pastor
leaves us.

We think that he is scarcely at all aware of the amount of good
he is now doing, how much influence he is now exerting over the
young men of our own church, in leading them in the way of Chris-
tian duty, and preparing them for future usefulness.1

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :
RICHMOND, May 14, 1858: As we are "fellow-partners," if not

1 In the light of subsequent history, it is interesting to notice that the names of
J. Wm. Jones, John Hart, and C. H. Toy were signed to this protest.

150 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

" in distress," at least in doubt and anxiety as to our duty, I do not
know that I can more easily concentrate and make clear to myself
the various considerations which bear upon the decision, than by
writing to you. I find a pen helps me to think.

The first thing which strikes me is that a peculiar conjuncture of
circumstances, not of our seeking or desire, has thrown the burden
of this enterprise on us. It can hardly be wrong to call them provi-
dential circumstances. The idea has long been entertained, long
labored for ; the hope of fulfilling it has given rise to every denom-
inational college and has engrafted on most of them some special
teaching looking toward theological instruction : never before has
there seemed any opportunity at all— not to say so promising an
opening— for accomplishing the result ; though our acceptance does
not indeed assure success, our declining, it seems necessary to con-
fess, insures failure. Shall it fail ? and shall the disappointment in
this instance serve as a lasting discouragement, a decisive and un-
answerable objection to all similar attempts? This is a question for
you and me.

In fact it is narrower still. So far as I can see, the real decision
rests with you. If you decline, I think Pomdexter1 will. If he and
you decline, I certainly shall. Then Winkler will feel unwilling to
leave his church, even if he could otherwise be induced to go, and
even Boyce, left alone, will feel himself compelled to look rather
cheerlessly for new associates, men of more self-sacrifice (or I take
that back — what I should have said is, men of more deep convictions
of the comparative importance of such a seminary), or else he too
must give up the ship, a grand finale indeed, after all that has been
said and done. . .

I hear a great deal here that seems to me mere talk, or at any rate
mere feeling, not entitled to rank as judgment or advice ; the audacity
of people is strongly censured who venture thus to rob Virginia, who
entice away her strongest men, who expect to build up South Caro-
lina at the expense of the other States, etc. Then there is more of
objection than I had supposed possible among well-instiucted men,
to the whole idea of ministerial cultivation. An uneducated minister,
it is said, has more sympathy with his people ; instruction only lifts
him up above them, puffs him up, etc. To this I say, jocosely, that
if the students at the seminary never get more learning than their
professors, they will never be hurt by the quantity of their learning,
and more seriously, that the objection goes to the extent of doing

1 The number of professors was increased to five.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY IJI

away with all education, and that we must go back to first principles.
An educated man can speak plainly, modestly, in sympathy with his
unlearned hearers, and be " all things to all men." The uninstructed
man cannot reach his cultivated hearers ; he is debarred from one
class, and that the more influential ; the other has free access to
both, etc., etc.

The effect of all this is rather to make me feel that so strong a
current of prejudice makes it necessary that those who know better
should set themselves to correct it. . .

Monday morning, May 17 : My case is complicated by several
circumstances which do not apply to you. I have a considerable
pecuniary investment here which will be rendered comparatively
valueless by my removal. Besides this, removal to my family is
necessarily an expensive operation. Again, your influence and open-
ings for influence are greater than mine, I know, but they are all in
one direct on, i. e., pastoral care over the church and University stu-
dents. Mine, though less, works at several points — the institute,
the country churches I have charge of, the Sunday-school and Pub-
lication Board, with its new feature of extensive colportage opera-
tions, and the Foreign Mission Board. In all of these, I can say with
all modesty, my loss would be felt. Besides, there is a kind of gen-
eral influence with all the city churches arising from my association
with so many of the young people or their families. . .

Then some say there will be no students at Greenville, not more
than twelve or fifteen at the outside; that to take the theological
students away from Richmond College will be to render to that ex-
tent useless our expenditure there, and so too, of other States and
colleges ; that the endowment won't be collected to pay our salaries,
and that we will have to leave Greenville, starved out, in a year or
two, both by the lack of money and the lack of anything to do ;
that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, etc.

Well, I have tried candidly and carefully to look at the subject all
around ; and I trust I have sincerely and humbly implored divine
guidance. The present inclination of my judgment is, that I must
go if the others go.

It is certain if none go to Greenville except those who are of little
use where they are, they will be of little use there. None had better
go, rather than such. Other men might perhaps have been selected
as well adapted to the post, or better, who could go with less disrup-
tion of strong ties, less sacrifice of obvious usefulness ; but we were
selected, after anxious and faithful consideration, by judicious breth-
ren acquainted with us and our fields, our usefulness and adapta-

IJ2 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

tions. . . At any rate, the question seems brought to our door, and
laid at our feet, " So far as you are concerned, shall this seminary live,
or disgracefully die?" . .

I have been trying to drink in the full richness of that text,
"my mother's text," "Acknowledge the Lord in all thy ways,
and he will direct thy paths." God bless you and guide you, my
brother.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., May i$, 1858: Reaching home on
Friday, the yth inst, I spent some days in hearing the leading
brethren of the church and consulting a few judicious friends. Still
utterly undecided, I left home on Tuesday, and went to see other
friends, in Alexandria, Fredencksburg, and Richmond, returning
yesterday. Feeling the responsibility of the decision, I tried hard to
consider the question calmly, to exercise my best judgment. After
more anxiety and difficulty than I ever before experienced, I have at
length decided that I cannot leave here. If anything I can conceive
could make me feel it right to leave this post, it would be the Sem-
inary ; but I could not dare to go away.

I hope Wmkler, Manly, and Poindexter will all be able to accept
Probably, if you thought it desirable, P. C. Edwards would help
temporarily for the first session, say in New Testament Greek. It is
needless to say that I will heartily do all I can toward getting endow-
ment in Virginia, and inducing young brethren, from the University
and elsewhere, to attend the Seminary.

My people here are in great perturbation, and it is extremely de-
sirable on several accounts, that my decision should be speedily
known, but it was proposed that no one of us should commit himself
to the public without first communicating to the others. Please write
to me, therefore, at once. I have mentioned my decision to only two
gentlemen and they will keep my confidence.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., May 18, 1858: As to the Seminary at Green-
ville, I think your dechnature, under the circumstances, is the death-
blow to it. While I cannot in the smallest degree blame you for your
decision, I may say that I regret it. I had made up my own mind,
if you accepted, that I would make an effort to induce Brother Poin-
dexter's acceptance, and if successful, I would accept. As it is, I
think it doubtful, exceedingly so, whether he will undertake it. He
and you declining, I think my duty is clear, so far as I can now see,

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 153

f. *., not to go to Greenville. What I shall do, I know not. God, I
trust, will guide me.

I do not know whether you can reconsider your determination.
That is not for me to decide. There has been no opportunity, since
I knew anything about the Baptists, when there was so fair an
opportunity for a theological seminary as this. There will not proba-
bly be another for twenty-five years to come if this fails. As I now
view the matter, it is already de facto a failure— so soon as your de-
cision and its results are known. No more now. God bless you.

E. T. WINKLER to J. A. B. :

CHARLESTON, May 26, 1858 : I received your favor and wrote
an immediate answer to it, which is still lying on my desk. It was
so indeterminate that I was unwilling to send it. At the time when
it was written I was inclined to believe that duty required me to leave
my present field. Now I have been slowly coming to the opposite
conclusion. The distress of my church has been so extreme, I
might almost say so extravagant, as to excite my unfeigned aston-
ishment. . . I think that in justice to them I ought not to go.

I am sorry to hear, however, that you are not to take charge of
the Greek professorship at Greenville. From all that I have learned
and know of you, I am sure that you would be an efficient officer ;
while your influence in Virginia would also be of great advantage to
the institution. We need the patronage of your State more than any
other, both in regard to men and money.

And yet I cannot blame any pastor who is cultivating his special
field of labor successfully, when he declines, for any cause what-
ever, to leave it. The luxury of such a vocation is legitimate.

MRS. E. L. C. HARRISON to J. A. B. :

UNIVERSITY, July 30, 1858 : I will endeavor, as well as I can, to
give you some account of the commencement, although it must
of necessity be very imperfect, as I did not participate in anything
that was going on, saving the entertainment of company.

I had Mr. Lewis Coleman, his wife, Sally Flemming, Miss Mar-
shall, sister of Mrs. C , and a cousin of hers from Richmond, Miss

Emily Harvie. All these ladies but Miss Flemming are grand-daugh-
ters of Chief Justice Marshall, and seem to have inherited much of
his simplicity of manners and character. I was greatly pleased with
them all.

Doctor Hoge gave us a very interesting and able address before
the Society for Missionary Inquiry, on Sunday night in the hall.

154 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

The audience was a good one, and I presume were generally very
well pleased. Our prayer meeting on the 2gth was rather badly
attended, doubtless owing in a great measure to the students having
been kept up so very late the three preceding nights. . .

We had quite a large company of gentlemen yesterday to dine
with us, among them several old students whom I have not seen
for a number of years, Hugh Nelson, of Clarke, and Alexander Nel-
son ; Mr. William Thomas was also a guest. Professor Morrison
was here, showing very plainly some of the effects of time— his
whitening locks and redundant hair about his face prevented me
from recognizing him at first. He is the same kind, cordial, unaf-
fected person he formerly was when a member of our choir.

Oct. 3 Mr. Broadus pieached at Charlottesville from
Phil. 3 : 12-14. He has this comment in his sermon
note book : " The Lord be praised that I have been per-
mitted to preach once more." It had been six weeks
since he had preached, because of a violent and depress-
ing attack of ulcerated sore throat, which threatened to
destroy all his hopes and plans for life.

ANDREW BROADDUS to J. A. B :

WHITE PLAINS, August 26, 1858 : I am very much gratified that
your visit to my " home" has left "pleasant recollections," and I
cordially join you in the "hope" that you may "live (often) to re-
peat it " Whatever may have been the impression you received
from your visit to my house and to the neighborhood, the impression
left on us has been of a most agreeable character. My family en-
joyed your company very much, and " the cousins " generally were
delighted. Indeed, John A. Broadus is just now the standard of ex-
cellence by which intellect, scholarship, and preaching talents are
measured in this region. I understand that shortly after your ser-
mon at Sparta, two of my members (not "cousins" either, by the
way) expressed the opinion that Spurgeon could not possibly excel
you. Now, lest you should be exalted above measure, be pleased to
remember what Brother Jeter said to Brother Parish, and what you
were kind enough to apply to me, that "no matter how mean a
preacher a man may be, there are some people who will think him
the best preacher in the world." I have written thus far somewhat
in a strain of badinage, and yet it has been done with literally "an
aching heart." Pray for me that my life may be spared, and that in

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 155

any event I may be prepared for the will of God. Oh, I wish I could
feel more confident of acceptance with God, more reconciled to the
thought of death, and better prepared to echo the sentiments of Paul,
" to depart and be with Christ is far better."

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Nov. 19, 1858 : I hear there is much religious
interest at the University. I hope there may be another great re-
vival there this winter. How is your health now? I heard it was
not so good. Perhaps God may be preparing the way to cause you
to enter the theological seminary. If that should be his will I should
not grieve, for I candidly think that the opportunities for permanent
and extensive influence there are superior to any other situation in
the South. I scarcely know another, however, that surpasses, or
even equals, your present post

God bless you, and guide us all according to his will.

J. C. GRANBERRY to J. A. B. :

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1858 : Your kind letter stirred in me
pleased and grateful feelings. I am gratified in the persuasion that
you will feel a lively interest in my chaplaincy, both from your
friendship toward me, and from your intimate acquaintance with the
responsibilities belonging to one who exercises his ministry among
so many young men, now forming their characters and educating
their minds for positions of influence in the world. 1 count not least
among the advantages of my chaplaincy, association with yourself,
not only because your personal traits have called forth my esteem
and love, but also because I know that your decided preference for
your own church combines with a large-minded sympathy with your
fellow-laborers in the gospel of Christ without distinction of name.
May God abundantly bless you in the important pastoral charge
you now fill.

I thank you for your congratulations on my recent marriage,
hope that congratulations on this event may never be out of date.

On January^ 1859, Mr. Broadus was married to Miss
Charlotte Eleanor Sinclair, at Locust Grove Homestead,
near Charlottesville. Miss Sinclair had been carefully
educated, amid refined influences, and made for him a
happy home, ever welcoming his many friends as well
as sharing in his interests and pursuits of whatever kind,

156 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

The bridal couple went to New York on a wedding jour-
ney, amid many congratulations. A large number of
students sent a signed paper of best wishes.

CHARLOTTESViLLE, Jan. 25, 1859.

DEAR BRETHREN : I received this morning, through the hands of
Bro. G. W. Garrett, your note of 22d inst., together with an exceed-
ingly beautiful and convenient secretary, at (the desk of) which I am
now writing. I know not how to thank you as I should wish to do,
for a gift so elegant in itself and so inexpressibly gratifying as coming
from young brethren at the University. Among the strongest and
most endearing ties which bind me to this community is the oppor-
tunity here enjoyed for doing something for the religious good of the
students. It is a subject of continual regret that I can accomplish so
little in the way of personal acquaintance and intercourse, even with
those who are actually members of Baptist churches. But I look out
from the pulpit over pew after pew filled with intelligent listeners
who are University students, and feel a gratitude and joy equaled
only by the trembling sense of responsibility. There is scarce any-
thing I more ardently desire than to promote your welfare and enjoy
your good will. Why should I not be delighted, when, on so inter-
esting an occasion, you come with so pleasing a token of affectionate
regard? I thank you. I sincerely wish that you may all be suc-
cessful in study, be ever surrounded by friends, and in due time ad-
mitted to the enjoyment of domestic felicity ; and I fervently pray
that you may be, more and more, every year you live, devoted and

useful Christians.

Your friend and brother,

JOHN A. BROADUS,

E. S. JOYNES to J. A. B. :

WILLIAMSBURG, VA., March 6, 1859 : Your accounts and per-
sonal reminiscences awaken so many associations, and especially
your question about Germany suggested so many interesting recol
lections, that I should have to write a long letter to do them justice,
and would rather even not write of them at all than to do so hastily.
One thing only I will say, the state of religion in Germany, the
whole status of the German mind with reference to Christianity, is,
I believe, very much misunderstood among us. In our popular lan-
guage, German and mfidel are almost synonymous terms, but the
truth is not so. A great, a wonderful reaction has taken place in
the last thirty years, beginning from Schleiermacher, and is now in

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 157

triumphant progress. The reign of infidelity is over, its days even
seem to be numbered, and indeed it seems already, even to human
eyes, to have been a great instrument in the hands of Providence,
for besides other results, the efforts of infidelity in Germany have
called forth the greatest and most conclusive works in defense of
Christianity, the best apologetic literature in Germany itself which
any age or language has produced. Indeed, this has been, I believe,
in its widespread influence, the occasion (even unconsciously, may-
be) of most of those excellent works upon the "evidences" which
have of late years appeared in our own language, so that it cannot be
denied that Christianity stands at this day upon higher ground of
argument and evidence than it ever would have done but for the at-
tempts to overthrow it in Germany.

JAMES P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., March 29, 1859 : The provisional committee,
to which was entrusted, among other matters, the nomination of per-
sons to fill vacancies in the faculty, has resolved to present the
names of Brother Winkler and yourself, — we are assured that we
cannot make any other nominations that would be acceptable, — and
we beg you to take this into consideration. Have not circumstances
so changed since your refusal last year as dearly to point this out as
duty now?

I would write at length, but I feel that this is a question for your
own decision. If you are resolved that under no circumstances you
will accept, please inform us before we make our report. If you will
accept, please say so ; it will secure Winkler, who hangs off still.
If you are undecided, please take the matter into serious considera-
tion.

J. A. B. to JAMES P. BOYCE :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., April 4, 1859 : Your letter is before me,
before me continually. Providence permitting, you shall receive my
final answer before 2$th inst. Meantime, do not let it be known that
I am considering the matter.

I earnestly hope, on various accounts, you may be able to come to
Richmond.

JAMES P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., April n, 1859 : Forgive me if I seem to
importune, but I wish to send you an extract from a letter just re-
ceived from Doctor Manly. Does he not speak truly? I will not

158 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

breathe a word to any one about your holding the matter under con-
sideration. "The prospects of the theological school have been
shaded, at least, by failing to obtain the officers we sought and to
commence business last fall. The trustees are to hold their first meet-
ing m Richmond at the time of the approaching anniversaries.
Make another failure and you will see what will come of it."

If you cannot fully consent to a lifetime work, try it for a while
in order to inaugurate the matter. Your simple name will be a tower
of strength to us ; and, when we are once started, if you find it not
congenial, you can return to the pastorate. But will it not be con-
genial to preach Christ daily to the most attentive hearers, knowing
that you are starting influences to reach every quarter of the globe
and the hearts of every class of men? What do we need now
among the Baptists? A number of educated men to aid in forming
the public sentiment of the churches. In our cities and towns and
villages we have conservatism, but we have not enough for the
country ; and behold the radicalism and the demagogism that is
rife.

Ought you not to make the sacrifice— are you not called by God
to enter upon this work? If you fail me and Wmkler fail me, I must
give up, and I fear Winkler will go. My chief hope of getting him
now is that he looks to you and your coming may move him. Sup-
pose you write to him.

J. B. JETER to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, April 6, 1859 •* We expect a large meeting at our
Convention. I have serious fear of trouble. Both parties at Nash-
ville are moving to secure the endorsement of the Convention. The
election of Howell to the presidency will be the point of conflict. I
do not see how we can escape the issue. The Graves party have
avowed their purpose not to run him for the office, and they will
stake their own success on the defeat of Howell. It is a pity that we
should be in such a predicament. I hope the wise ones will be able
to devise some means of preserving harmony. We have appointed
meetings for special prayer on behalf of the Convention. Urge
your people to pray for it.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., April 21, 1859: Brother Boyce in-
formed me, three weeks ago, that the provisional committee wished
to renominate Winkler and myself, if we could agree to accept. I
have at length, with difficulty and distress, reached a conclusion,

158 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 159

and have written him to-night that I am willing. I have also writ-
ten to Winkler expressing my anxious desire that he may be able to
do likewise.

I heard it whispered in Richmond that a plan was on foot for
keeping you there. May I earnestly beg that you will suffer noth-
ing to induce you to do this? You have been regarded as identified
with the Seminary ; don't forsake it now. It would be simply im-
possible to fill your place anything like so satisfactorily. It will be
much easier to find some other man who can do what they are cut-
ting out for you in Richmond.

It is evident that the Seminary will have much opposition to con-
tend with. . . Surely all that is but a reason why we should stand
up to it. If we can all four take hold, and we live five to ten years,
I shall hope for good success, do what they may,

J. A. B. to JAMES P. BOYCE :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., April 21, 1859 : With much difficulty

and much distress, I have at length reached a decision. I tremble at
the responsibility of the thing either way, and hesitate to write
words which must be irrevocable. But ... if elected, I am willing
to go. May God graciously direct and bless, and if I have erred in
judgment, may he overrule, to the glory of his name.

Jacta est aha. Do not fear that I shall change my mind and, my
dear Boyce, suffer me to say, that few personal considerations
about the matter are so attractive to me as the prospect of being as-
sociated in a great work with you. I rejoice in a warm, mutual
friendship now, and I trust we shall ere long learn to love each
other as brothers. Pardon me for just saying what I feel. . .

Will theie be any money now for the library? I lack many books
which will be almost indispensable in the beginning, and I cannot
buy them all myself. Will the Furman University let us have the
theological part of its library, and if so, can you bring with you to
Richmond a catalogue of its contents ?

I shall be sadly, sadly disappointed if you cannot come. I expect
to leave for Richmond on May 2. If you cannot write in time to
reach me here before that day, direct to care of Doctor Jeter, Rich-
mond.

Let us pray for each other, and across the distance pray together
for our work.

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., April 26, 1859: Your letter has gladdened

160 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

my heart. Truly am I grateful to God that he has brought you to
this decision. Thank you for what you say personal to myself. I
reciprocate it fully. I have ever esteemed it one of the most pleas-
ant things connected with the election last year that if it should be
the one finally made it will bring together four of us who can feel
like brothers indeed toward each other. What a power have we
here ! The Lord grant that we may use it as he has given it, for his
cause. . . *

As to the matter of books, it was expected from the beginning
that prior to any purchase of a library, at least five hundred dollars
should be expended in books, chiefly with a view to text-books. In
your depaitment the library of the theological department of the Uni-
versity, which they transfer, is not very rich, unless they will let us
have the books belonging to Professor Minims' library, which I sup-
pose they will ; as we have to pay for them, however, it will not be
of any pecuniary benefit. We can buy them elsewhere as cheap as
they bought them. But in my own library I have almost every im-
portant exegetical work of modern date, with many others. You
will always be welcome to as full a use of my books as myself.
Could you not make out a list of such books as you wish ? We
can all put in what text-books we must have for students and, get-
ting the appropriation from the Board, we will be able to see what
can be spared. Winkler has a fine library also, nearly as large as
mine, and I do not think that more than one-fourth of the books are
duplicates of mine. If he comes, with his and mine together, I think
we will have about seven thousand volumes. Manly must have fif-
teen hundred to two thousand, and they are nearly all different from
Winkler' s and mine, so that we will not be too much dependent upon
our future purchases until the library of the Seminary is bought.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS to J. A. B. :

PENFIELD, GA., May 30, 1859: My appointment1 by the Board
at Richmond took me by surprise. I had not expected or thought of
it. I have taken up some time in making inquiries. I now take the
first opportunity to inform you of my acceptance. My mind is not
so clear, however, as I would like it to be, and as it always hereto-
fore has been, in settling any important question of duty. I hope I
may not have erred. If a man may ever be sure of the honesty and
sincerity of his feelings and desires, I think I may say it has been
my wish to act just as God would have me act, without reference to

Doctor Winkler had again declined.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 161

self. Perhaps longer time might make the matter plainer. I do not
know that this would be the case, however, and it is due to others
that I decide, as well as due to myself.

I thank you for your kind letter and assure you that I reciprocate
all its kind and friendly expressions.

J. P. BOYCEtoJ. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., June 3, 1859 : We have secured Williams.
He writes me he will accept. I just take the time to drop you this
line. I have almost arranged about the house also. I will write you
more when I fmd that bargain completed. I have heard nothing
from Dickinson. We must get him [as agent] if possible. Please
write me at Richmond, care of Dr. A. Z. Coons, if you know
anything in his way. Do you know any one we can get for three
other States? Would it be possible, think you, to get your uncle to
extend his agency outside of Virginia after he has finished there? I
expect to pass through Richmond on Thursday afternoon next and
may stay a day, or, at least, a night.

Professor Broadus's first speech for the Seminary was
delivered at the Hampton June meetings, 1859, and re-
ported for the " Religious Herald " by the speaker. Ob-
serve that the Seminary had not yet opened its doors,
and Doctor Broadus speaks as a prophet. We make a
few extracts :

The speaker began by narrating an incident lying within his own
knowledge, not to say experience, and tending to show that a young
preacher may have enjoyed the best advantages for academical in-
struction and yet be so ignorant of fundamental matters of doctrine
as on important occasions to make serious blunders upon the great
doctrine of " justification by faith." He will speak especially of the
objection often made to theological seminary instruction He had
himself, at one time, been strongly opposed to it, and had come to
believe that his objections were partly unfounded, resulting from
mere prejudice and lack of information, and partly capable of being
obviated, at least in large measure, by means of the peculiar ideas
and methods embraced in the organization of a seminary at Green-
ville. The introduction of important changes in theological instruc-
tion was rendered necessary by the peculiar wants, as well as opin-
ions, of our Baptist ministry. This was ably shown by Professor
Boyce in an address published two or three years since, which has

L

162 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

met with general approbation, and, as the speaker chanced to know,
had been highly commended by Doctor Wayland, whose opinions
on this subject have much weight with many brethren. The plan
of organization, and particularly the plan of instruction of the new
Seminary, is an attempt to meet the wants indicated in that address,
and so generally acknowledged as existing. At the same time, it is
believed by many that such a plan is not only necessary to an insti-
tution which is to be attractive and useful to young Baptist preach-
ers, but is greatly preferable to theological seminaries in general, and
would be found so by all denominations. Even among our Presby-
terian brethren, whose seminaries have formed a model generally
adopted, there are indications of dissatisfaction with existing meth-
ods, as seen in the preference still occasionally expressed by promi-
nent men for returning to the old plan of private study with a pastor,
and m the altered, though hardly less objectionable, method adopted
in their seminary at Danville.

It ought to be carefully observed that many of the objections made
among us to a theological education are precisely the same in princi-
ple as those which were formerly made by some persons to educat-
ing the ministry at all. The battle has been long ago fought and
won ; the brethren may be urged to consider how far they are now
reviving arguments which, in essence and in principle, have been
already refuted. Particularly is this the case with the argument some-
times put forward, that brethren preach well who never attended a
seminary ; so do many who never went to college. . .

The inevitable effect of this [students subscribing to a creed] must
be, that the student goes to work, not to find out what the Scriptures
teach, but to satisfy himself that they teach certain doctrines, which,
in all their detail, are laid down beforehand. This is the reverse of
the natural process of inquiry, and must of necessity fetter the mind
and restrict independence of thought. But in our Seminary the stu-
dent will not be required, at the beginning or the end, to accept any
given symbol or doctrine. The professors must accept a brief ab-
stract of principles, as one safeguard against their teaching heresy ;
but they are supposed to be men who have already formed their lead-
ing opinions, who will undertake the professorship only if they can
concur in these principles, and will therefore not be materially re-
stricted in their inquiries, while the students will be perfectly at lib-
erty and constantly encouraged to think for themselves. Add the
sturdy and indomitable independence which is fostered by all our
Baptist ideas and institutions, and there does not seem to be much
danger from this source.

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 163

The perfect liberty of choice as to which subjects shall be studied
by each student, and as to the order in which they shall be taken
up, will tend to promote the spirit of freedom. And a similar effect
will be produced upon the professors by the independence of the
schools. They will not be cramped in a certain space, as part of a
fixed course, but can work freely, each going as far, with any par-
ticular subject, as he may be able or think proper, and as his class
are found able to follow.

Such a system is more likely to be attractive. Young men can go,
with such preparation as they may have, to study what they may
prefer, can stay as few or as many sessions as they choose, and can
get credit, from time to time, for just so much as they have done.
We have no means of requiring our young brethren— if that were, in
fact, desirable — to secure any particular amount of theological train-
ing. It is well if they can be attracted to come of their own ac-
cord. . .

Those who are not acquainted with the learned languages, and
can therefore study only certain subjects, will not be placed in a po-
sition of felt inferiority, but in the subjects they do pursue, will be
in the same classes and every way in the same position with the
rest. And one who is able to graduate in some schools, and having
done better than he had hoped, if disposed to remain, can go right
on to the other schools, almost as well as if he had designed it from
the beginning. . .

Much is expected from the arrangement that in the interpretation
of the Scriptures, Old and New, all will study together, in a sort of
Bible-class fashion, the English version, there being special classes
besides for those who know the Hebrew or the Greek. This again
is made necessary by the peculiar wants of the Baptist ministry, but
it is believed to be best for all. Students who have given considera-
ble attention to the original languages will yet find them a very
muddy medium through which to see the connection and general
drift of an extended passage. They will gain a far better acquaint-
ance with the actual teachings of Scripture from a careful study of
the English, the professor making use of his own knowledge of the
original, as the commentators do, but adapting his explanations to
those who know the English alone. Nothing is so important to a
man who will preach, as to know what is taught in the Bible, as it
stands upon its own connection. The theory of interpretation too,
can be best learned through the actual study of Scripture in a
language which is well known.

The speaker closed with some personal allusions, designed to ex-

164 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

press his own high sense of the importance of this enterprise, and
with the earnest request that brethren would not only contribute
means and send students to the Seminary, but would often pray for
the Divine blessing upon those whose privilege it shall be to be con-
nected with it, that they may be enabled greatly to improve both the
education and the piety of such as go out from them to preach the
gospel.

J. A. B. to W. A. WH1TESCARVER :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, June 17, 1859 : I am in good spirits. Shall
have much trouble in removing, but hope to meet all with a stout
heart. Some folks have abused me, but 1 believe they have got
over it. I am busy with preparatory studies. Must spend my sum-
mer here.

A. M. POINDEXTER to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, June 27, 1859 : If you have not been informed, you
will be, I presume, m due time, that at a recent meeting of the trustees
of Richmond College you and Manly were doctored. I feel it due to
you to state that I was not at the meeting and had received no inti-
mation that such a thing was contemplated. I had not referred to
your wishes in the matter, and no one knew, I presume, of your ob-
jections. The thing is done. I regret it, as you do, but it cannot
now be helped You know the old saying, " What can't be cured
must be endured." I could not feel satisfied without this explana-
tion.

William and Mary College likewise gave Mr. Broadus
the title of D. D., "in view of your distinguished attain-
ments as a scholar and divine."

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., July 14, 1859 - It is time we had published
something of our plans. I have been waiting for Brother Boyce to
attend to it, but if we do not look out we shall assemble there with
as many teachers as scholars. When do you purpose actually start-
ing, and by what route? Can we not arrange to go together?

By the way, we seem all to be in rather a bad condition, in public
estimation. First, the trustees of Richmond and Columbian Col-
leges think us in so precarious a condition that we must needs be
"doctored," and then the Greenville editor finds it in his heart to

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 165

soap us all over in advance, so that I feel somewhat as I suppose
the rabbit does when the rattlesnake has made him all ready for be-
ing swallowed. I knew nothing of the plan of our trustees, or, so
far at least as I was concerned, I should have opposed it. I should
not have minded their doctoring you so much, but I did not like to
take the prescription myself.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., July 16, 1859: What has become of
you, that you haven't yet appeared in print about the Seminary ?
Has the weight of Columbian College honors crushed you? . .
But however ail that may be, hurry up, my dear fellow, whatever
you are going to publish, so that the Seminary course may take
a more distinct form in the eyes of the people, or else, I am con-
siderably afraid, there will be four doctors of divinity met together
on the first of October, to teach— each other ; which operation might
be serviceable enough, if it should not prove too much like the op-
posite sides of an empty stomach digesting each other.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., July 23, 1859 : Yours of the 2oth just
received. My wife and I thank you most heartily for your kindness
about the house. I am compelled to remain here as pastor till Sept.
i, and I had been thinking to have a week or two with my friends
in another part of the State, and go to Greenville after Sept. isth ;
but I now feel inclined to go earlier in that month. It will be pleas-
ant, and in various ways useful, if we could be there all together
for a few weeks before the session opens. Obliged to keep up my
home here to last of August. I have been unable to send furniture
by vessel which has just left Richmond, and fear there will not be
another when I want it. But all that can be arranged some way.
... As to pleasing everybody, I suppose it must be our lot, the
balance of our lives, to have various persons all the time finding
fault with us. There are people in abundance who don't mean to
be pleased with anything we can do. Still, I grow daily more en-
thusiastic about our enterprise. If the Lord spare and bless us for
a few years, I am sure it will appear, even to many who now doubt,
that we are doing a great work. It is costing me severe sacrifices ;
but they are nothing compared with the self-denying labor you have
bestowed on it. In either case, no doubt, we have far more remain-
ing to bear as well as to do ; but we shall not labor in vain, for surely
it is the Lord's work.

166 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A, BROADUS

CHARLOTTESVILLE, August 28, 1859.

To the Charlottesmlk 'Baptist Church :

BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS : I beg leave now formally
to carry out the design which was some time ago intimated to you, of
resigning the pastoral care of the church. In so doing I desire to put
upon record the statement that I should not have been willing to
leave here to become pastor of any other church whatsoever, or to
be professor in any other institution than the Theological Seminary
to which I am going.

At the close of this pastoral connection of eight years, I call upon
you to join me in giving thanks to God for the measure of success
which has attended our joint labors, for the marked prosperity of the
church we love. Dear brethren and sisters, it is not hopeless toil to
work for our Master's cause. Let us try to be far more diligent and
prayerful, and thus we may hope to be far more useful in the time
to come.

I am unable to express my feelings of gratitude for all your kind-
ness and of affectionate interest in your welfare, as a church, as
families, and as individuals. I trust you will always look with
charitable indulgence upon my faults of character, and failures in
duty. I have little fear of being personally forgotten here, but I
especially ask that you will not forget the truth I have preached
among you, but will seek to profit hereafter by the labors which are
now ended ; so " that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have
not run in vain, neither labored in vain."

And now, brethren and sisters, with a heart that overflows with
love to you all, " I commend you to God, and to the word of his
grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified." May your future pastors be
more faithful and successful than I have been. May you all be
richly blessed, in the Sunday-school, in the prayer meetings, in your
private efforts to do good, in your families, and your own hearts !
Such is, and while life lasts shall be, the prayer of,
Your brother in the Lord,

JOHN A. BROADUS.

Dr. Broadus preached his farewell sermon to the Char-
lottesville Church from Philippians 2 : 12-16, He gave
a summary of his work since September, 1851. He had
preached in these eight years seven hundred and sixty-
one sermons, a hundred and twenty-two being at the

CHARLOTTESVILLE AND THE UNIVERSITY 167

University, two hundred and eighteen at other places,
and four hundred and twenty-one at Charlottesville.
There had been two hundred and forty-one baptized,
one hundred and twelve of these being colored. Much
of the addition to the church-membership was while Mr.
Dickinson was associate pastor. Some lines of sadness'
were written on his leaving, " Leave us not, man of
prayer."

The ties which bound him to the University at Charlottesville
were not easily sundered. It had been the home of his early man-
hood, the nursery of his intellect, the arena of his first forensic tri-
umphs. He loved the blue hills amid which her classic buildings
are set, the billowy undulations of the fertile fields that swell around
their feet, the fragrant airs that sweep her shadowy colonnades and
the cool vistas of her verdant lawns. Here the thrilling music of
woman's love had first melted his heart, and the sweet intimacies of
wedded life and the soft smiles of children had been his ; and sorrow
had laid upon his brow her consecrating touch, and beneath the
sighing pines of the old cemetery reposed the ashes of his fair
young wife. Here was the spacious church, builded by his devout
efforts and almost with his own hands, and a growing congregation
crowding its pews and aisles, eager to receive from his hands the
bread and water of life. And here he had knit over the ties of do-
mestic life and reared again an altar and a home. In all his wander-
ings, I fancy he found no other spot of earth so dear as this — not
Carolina's blue skies, nor Kentucky's green expanse, nor foreign
cities with their haunting memories of song and story, nor even
Palestine and the flowery fields hallowed by the footprints of his
beloved Lord. But duty and destiny summoned and he obeyed,
taking his journey into a far country, vowing his life to poverty and
to labor, but called through self-denial and toil and illness to do a
great and enduring work.1

1 Professor Wm. M. Thornton, in the " Alumni Bulletin " for May, 1893.

CHAPTER IX
THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK

" Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still
air of delightful studies."

—Milton.

MOST of the summer of 1859 hac^ been given to
plans for the work that now engrossed Doctor
Broadus's heart, for his whole nature went into the new
enterprise. He was busy buying books for the library
and for himself. He sought original sources in various
languages. He was pitching his work on a high plane.
He was to teach two new departments, New Testament
Interpretation (English and Greek) and Homiletics, but
he held himself to a severe standard at the very start.
He aimed to secure the best text-books possible. This
was his programme for homiletics :

" Homiletics, or Preparation and Delivery of Sermons"; "Rip-
ley's Sacred Rhetoric " ; " Vmef s Homiletics " ; numerous lectures ;
ample exercises in formation of skeletons, criticism of printed ser-
mons, general composition, and discussion ; opportunities for stu-
dents to preach, but no*preaching merely for practice.

• He had drawn the plan of instruction in the eight
schools with one general diploma and separate diplomas
for each school. He expected opposition to the elective
system, as it was a new thing in theological education.
But there were some enlightened minds who clearly ap-
prehended what was involved, and gave hearty endorse-
ment at the very start.

PRESIDENT W. M. WINGATE to J. A. B. :

WAKE FOREST COLLEGE, N. C., June 20, 1859 : I think we feel
i6S

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 169

a good deal of interest in this State, and especially at this place, in
the Theological Seminary. We shall have a respectable number of
young brethren, I think, going in the course of time from this place.
The Convention — I infer from the expression of opinion given in our
last meeting— will be in favor of supporting brethren without means,
there, just as they do at Wake Forest ; for the most part, I suppose,
continuing those who have been for a longer or a shorter time at our
college. You, and the brethren acting with you, may be assured
that I shall do what I can in my humble way, to foster and encourage
the Southern Seminary.

I like much the feature suggested by you in your letter. I saw it
elaborated to some extent in Doctor Boyce's address some three
years ago. Our theological seminaries have been based too much
upon Presbyterian theories of preaching, and they have on that ac-
count been of very little use to Baptists. We must help men a little,
who cannot or will not be helped much, or they will preach without
help, and should they not? For one, let me express the hope that
prominence will be given to this feature.

W. D. THOMAS to J. A. B. :

WARRENTON, VA., Sept. 8, 1859 : I have been hoping that we
might meet again before you started for Greenville. Circumstances,
however, have been such as to prevent it, and now you must go
without my seeing you. I much regret this. I cannot let you go,
however, without saying good-bye. I need not say that I have loved
you, and that you will be dear to me still in your new and far-off
home. I have felt for you in your struggles to decide in reference to
Greenville. Though one of many who are sorrowing because you
are to go, yet so far as I can see you are doing what God would have
you to do. I trust that neither my grief, nor, what is more likely,
the sorrow of so many others, will make you doubt that your steps
in this matter are ordered of God. The conviction that we are in the
path which God would have us walk, and doing the work which he
would have us do, will give one zest, energy, and power which can-
not be had without it. Believing, as I do, that you have decided
this matter in the fear of the Lord, I trust this conviction may abide
with you.

After all, your sorrow at parting with friends and our sorrow at
parting with you need not deprive us of comforting thoughts. " The
field is the world." . . Oh, for such a faith as will not permit us to
look upon the kingdom of our Lord as a mere province confined to
our own State or individual church. We need a world-wide king-

170 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

dom. My dear brother, may the Lord go with you to Greenville and
abide with you there. For your going will be vain unless his pres-
ence is with you. When there think sometimes of your friend Wm.
who is laboring (in weakness and imperfection) for the conversion
of sinners and the promotion of our Lord's kingdom here.

There were many kind friends in Greenville to help
get things in readiness for the home there. In particular
were Doctor Boyce and his family all kindness in secur-
ing a pleasant, roomy house, and having it in complete
order.

Doctor Broadus's first sermon in Greenville was to the
colored Baptists, September 18, from Acts 2 : 39. The
Seminary opened auspiciously with twenty-six students.

PRESIDENT E. G. ROBINSON to J. A. B. :

ROCHESTER, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1859 : Allow me to congratulate you
on the successful opening of your Seminary, and to wish you the
largest and truest prosperity in the future. My colleagues, I am con-
fident, would join heartily in the sentiment. A common service be-
gets sympathy, and we cannot but all rejoice in the multiplication of
educated ministers. You have a vast field to supply and I hope the
number of your pupils will increase till it shall be commensurate with
the demand.

The four young professors took hold vigorously and
with high hopes. A teacher's first year is proverbially
hard. Doctor Broadus had had experience in teaching
at the University fcf Virginia, but he was now on new
subjects and he had lofty ideals for his work. Much de-
pended on these opening months. His health snapped
under the strain and he had to give up teaching entirely
for a while. But his colleagues bravely took up his
work for him.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

GREENVILLE, S. C.,Feb. 18, 1860: I have delayed answering
your kind letter only because I wished, and from day to day hoped,
I should be able to reply at some length. It arrived while I was ab-

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK I/I

sent in Charleston for a few days, seeking benefit for my badly
shattered health.

I beg to thank you, very warmly, for your handsome present to
our little boy.1

My Aunt Lucy's idea that my health was quite re-established
arose from a very hopeful letter I wrote them at Christmas ; but the
hopes I then cherished have not been realized. For nearly three
months I have been unable to meet my classes, though never vio-
lently ill. The attack was of indigestion, not understood at first, and
it has settled down into confirmed and obstinate dyspepsia. My
health in October and early November was uncommonly good. I
was greatly interested in my work, and was happy. But anxious to
meet the pressing demands of a first year's course of instruction, and
made confident by feeling so well, I overworked myself, and was
somewhat imprudent in eating ; and then after resting a few days
went to work again too soon and too hard, and in a week more was
laid up. My first physician did not understand the case, and when
he was taken sick, and another came, I was really thoroughly dys-
peptic. Having improved a little before, I find the trip to Charleston
very beneficial, and hope again to be speedily much better. But I
take ups and downs, and am still wholly unable to work ; ten min-
utes of continuous close thinking will make me sick. I have been,
personally, favored much, in being able to read, almost always, but
only what was light, and excited no particular desire to comprehend
or remember. Without this, I know not how I should have endured
the languor and low spirits of these many weeks. My colleagues,
burdened as they were, have been to a considerable extent carrying
on my subjects, though they have not had time for all. It has been,
and is every day, very hard to see my cherished hopes still deferred,
and the time wasting away, and with a spirit at once desponding
and eager, to be vainly seeking that "quiet cheerfulness" which
well-meaning friends fairly worry one by enjoining. . .

I try to avoid plans for the future now ; but if I do not grow worse
again, I hope that the summer in Virginia, with absolutely nothing to
do, may bring me to the point of being able to work again. We look
forward to the trip with daily mention and interest. . .

We count twenty-six students, some of them capital young men.
We think there is reason to hope for forty or more for next year.
There will be difficulty, in other States, as well as Virginia, about
raising the endowment, but I am confident it will be done. I feel

1 S. S. Broadus, born January K>, 1860,

172 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

hopeful, altogether, as to the prospects of the institution. If it be not
God's will to allow me a share in the work of building it up, why,
his will be done.

Do not allow any one to think of this as a sickly place, because I
have been sick so long. I am satisfied that the climate is not the
cause of my attack. Indeed, there is exceedingly little difference be-
tween the climate here and in Albemarle or Orange. We are about
the same distance from the Blue Ridge that you are, in a country
quite as much broken and with a very similar soil and productions,
and the ice-houses were well filled in January. . . Mrs. Broadus
hopes to have opportunity of making your acquaintance next
summer.

1 As a part of his ample home establishment, Doctor Boyce had
several ponies, trained for the saddle, on which his wife and her
sister were accustomed to ride, accompanied by a groom. One of
these ponies was promptly placed at the disposal of his colleague,
who soon sought permission to take the groom's place in the long
rides through that beautiful neighborhood, which he has ever since
most highly valued

Doctor Boyce's own health was at that time superb, and his power
of endurance seemed almost unlimited. In January he took his family
for a few days to Charleston, in order to visit his relatives and look
after the many business interests of his father's estate. He invited
his invalid colleague to accompany him on what would be a first
visit to the beautiful city by the sea. The journey had to begin at
four A. M., and continue till toward midnight, but he wrapped his
friend in a wonderful overcoat, a miracle of softness and warmth,
and when he reached Charleston carried him in his own arms from
the carriage into his room at the hotel. He seemed strong like a
giant, and he was tender as a woman.

J A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

GREENVILLE, S. C., March 28, 1860 : I am very glad to be able
to say, in reply to your kind letter, that my health is considerably
improved. I have resumed a part of my duties, and am hoping to
be able soon to take up the remainder, though still feeble, and very
easily thrown back. It is hard to be prudent,

I had been thinking about Rawley, and your recommendation in-
creases my disposition to try it. I hope I may be able to find it prac-
ticable to do so.

1 Broadus' " Memoir of Boyce/' p. 173.

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 173

Do you expect to attend the General Association? I am arranging
to leave here the morning after our Commencement if possible, and
in that case, can leave my family at Charlottesville and reach Staun-
ton Thursday afternoon. It is my purpose to attend the Shiloh Asso-
ciation at Blue Run also, and I shall hope to be able then to accept Mrs.
Harbour's kind invitation to visit her. . . Brother Toy, who is going
to Japan, and Brother Jones (of Louisa), who is going to Canton, are
boarding with us now, and we greatly enjoy their society. Toy is
among the foremost scholars I have ever known of his years, and an
uncommonly conscientious and devoted man. Jones you may have
seen ; he has great zeal, an unusual turn for practical working, and
I am sure he will make a very useful man. Others of our students
are thinking of the foreign mission work. . .

GREENVILLE, S. C., May 25, 1860 : I received your kind letter of
1 5th inst, and also the book. I had read the "Still Hour" with
unusual pleasure, and I trust, some benefit. I am glad that I can
now take the copy I had to my brother's wife in Alexandria, who I
know will appreciate and enjoy it ; and I shall tell her she may thank
you for getting it. . .

Be sure, if you please, to carry out the idea of writing for the H.
and F. Journal. We need a diffusion, by line upon line, of mission-
ary ideas and information ; we need more men and means and
prayer. The indications are favorable for a considerable increase in
the number of missionaries and we may be encouraged to pray and
labor— for I believe men are to be called into this work, as into the
ministry in general, and as into the church, through the use of
means. A word to a young minister, or one preparing, might be the
means by God's blessing, of bringing him into the work.

But it is breakfast time, and I must prepare for my last examina-
tion. Please address me hereafter at Charlottesville.

The first Commencement, May 28, 1860, was an inter-
esting occasion. Dr. Basil Manly, Sr,, made the ad-
dress. The outlook for the Seminary seemed auspicious
in spite of storm-clouds upon the horizon.

J. A B. to BASIL MANLY.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., June 16, 1860: Thank you for the in-
formation from Dr. Hackett Edmunds gave me (at Staunton) Hack-
etfs " Revision of Philemon," a copious and admirable Introduction,

174 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

and very full notes, and beautifully printed. [I like it, though of
course two such scholars as he and I couldn't agree on all points.
What a nice time he and Doctor Conant might be said to have — a
good salary, an unrivaled library, with everything added to it that
they can think of, and their works published in the handsomest style,
and gratuitously distributed through the country. Isn't that mag-
nificent?. .

The meetings at Staunton were very pleasant indeed. Both Boyce's
speech and his sermon were frequently mentioned in my hearing, and
with high praise. I am very glad he came, for together with the en-
thusiasm manifested by the students, it awakened a very lively and
very general interest in the Seminary. The ordination last Sunday
(Toy, Jones, Johnson, Taylor, Jr.) passed off well, and I hope did
much good.

J A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., July 23, 1860: On the i$th in Alex-
andria, my little Maria died, of diphtheria. The physicians thought
the others all had it, Annie being already very sick, and with many
fears I brought all here on Monday. Doctor and Mrs. Harrison and
Mrs. Sinclair aided us in watching by Annie all the week, and she
is now much better, almost well. The others were very slightly
affected, if at all.

As we came to Virginia on the cars, who, if told that two of the
company would die in a few weeks, would have selected as the per-
sons James Witt, and that laughing little girl ? Oh, my daughter !
but the will of the Lord be done. I have stood by the deathbed and
the grave of father and mother and sister, of wife and child ; I am
confident they are all safe in heaven ; God help those who are left
to follow them there.1

The physicians here advise me to try the Rockbridge Alum
Springs, and I expect to go to-morrow. I have gained a little, upon
the whole, but have repeatedly been set back by some season of ex-
citement and loss of sleep. I weigh two or three pounds more than
on June ist and think I am stronger.

1 Dr. Whitsitt, in his speech at the funeral of Dr. Broadus, made the following
reference to little Maria's death : " Late one night I met him at the railroad station
in Greenville, S C We were both going somewhere in the country to preach the
next day While we waited for the train he was full of loving talk in which he came
to speak of a daughter who had died years ago in early childhood, and insisted that
the child's influence on his life was greater far than if she had been permitted to live
out the measure of her days. I can recall the tenderness and enthusiasm with which
he several times exclaimed, 'A glorious memory.' "

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 175

J. A. B. to MRS. CHARLOTTE E. BROADUS :

ROCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, Wednesday, July 25, 1860 : 1 met
on the cars, first, Wm. C. Rives, with whom I had a talk about his
"Life of Madison," and about historians in general, particularly
Prescott and Motley. Next, I got a seat just before my earliest
schoolmaster, Albert Tutt, of Culpeper, to whom I went to school
two years, beginning twenty-eight years ago last February. He
was taking his wife to the Healing [Springs] for bronchitis. Her
father was our nearest neighbor, and she and sister Martha were
girls together. I told them about how Mr. Tutt used to stand long
at his desk, sometimes absorbed in writing, and how we little folks
would munch apples behind our books, and tell each other there was
no danger, for he was writing a letter to his sweetheart. And it was
pretty to see the girlish blush on the matron's cheek as the memory
of those days long past came freshly back, when she was a blithe
maiden, and used to read those letters from her own Albert. . . Dear-
est, I hope to live a good many years still, if it please Providence, and
I mean to try very hard to improve during this trip.

R. H. STONE to J. A. B. :

GAVE, CENTRAL AFRICA, July 24, 1860 : I feel a deep interest
in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. May it, indeed, be
a school of the prophets. I hope it will send forth men who are not
only like Apollos, "eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures," but
also men like Barnabas, " good, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith."
We much need the influence of such men now when strife and dis-
cord distract the energies of the Baptists. However, it is pleasant to
compare our denomination with what it was fifty years ago ; and we
may well say, " What hath God wrought."

J. A. B to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

RAWLEY SPRINGS, Aug. 24, 1860 : I expect to reach Blue Run
in the course of Tuesday afternoon, by private conveyance from

Charlottes ville. Mrs. B will probably accompany me. We wish

to spend one night at Doctor Jones', and one (in acceptance of your
kind invitation, repeated by Mr. Barbour) at Barboursville.

I shall get only six days at Rawley. Still, I hope for some benefit.
I spent ten days at the Rockbridge Alum, leaving in the beginning
of August, and have been improving, more or less, ever since. I
am now within six or eight pounds of my ordinary weight, and have
a tolerable amount of strength. I have preached four times during
this month, and expect to preach here on Sunday.

176 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

W. D. THOMAS to J. A. B. :

WARRENTON, VA., Oct. g, 1860 : I was very sorry that you
couldn't pay us a visit before you left us. Few things could give
more real joy than to have you and yours spend some time with me
at my own home- Though necessarily disappointed this time, yet I
hope some day to enjoy it. I suppose by this time you are all fairly
at work. I sadly feel the need of just such training and instruction
as can be had at Greenville. . .

I have concluded that the surest way to convert our brethren who
oppose theological education from their error, is to make them try the
work of pastors without such training. If this were done, they would
soon be (as old Brother Kerr used to say) forty thousand miles off
from opposition to Greenville.

If you will permit me to do so, I would like just now to beseech
you not to imagine that you are so far restored to health that nothing
can hurt you and so confine yourself too much to study. As a stew-
ard you must be found faithful in the matter of your health as well
as in other respects. Pardon me for this ; but you know my regard
for you and deep interest in you prompts it.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Oct. 25, 1860 : We now number thirty-one
students, adding one more from Mississippi to a statement which
will probably appear in the "Herald " of to-day. We feel encour-
aged by the increase, and by the general character of the students,
and the spirit they manifest. My class in New Testament Greek
numbers sixteen. They are nearly all graduates of colleges and uni-
versities, but the standard of graduation, and often of instruction, is
deplorably low in most of the institutions of the land, and I find it
necessary to spend a good part of the session in teaching Greek in
general, classic Greek, which they ought to have learned at college
But I can better afford to do this since they go over a large portion
of the New Testament in the English class. The difference in other
theological seminaries is, not that they have students better pre-
pared, but that they make little or no effort to remedy the evil. . .
I have two of last year's students reading, once a week, some selec-
tions from the Greek Fathers ; and Brother Boyce is doing something
similar this year, with some of the Latin Fathers. This would be
impracticable in a seminary where there was a curriculum, the same
for all. . .

I am glad to say that my health continues about as good as in

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 177

September. If I can be careful still, I trust I shall be able to go
steadily through the session. But it is not easy to be careful.

Please remember me most respectfully to your honored grand-
mother, to your uncle, and all the family. Mr. Barbour may be in-
terested in the opinion (though of course he is better posted on the
whole subject than I am) which I formed upon the statements of
gentlemen here, that in the event of Lincoln's election, South Caro-
lina will certainly not secede alone, but will gladly join any one other
State, and that her secession leaders will move heaven and earth to
aid their sympathizers in Alabama and Virginia with the hope of
such a result. Very many people here are as much opposed to a
dissolution of the Union as you or I, but there can be little doubt
that a majority of the voters in the State would be in favor of seced-
ing with any other State.

Two or three books that I think would please you are, " Five Ser-
mons on St. Paul," by A. Monod (from the French) ; " Memoir of
Kingman Nott " ; " Angus' Bible Handbook." All small volumes.

RICHARD HACKLEY1 to J. A. B. :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Nov. 5, 1860. My Dear Master:
As I feel like writing a few lines, and to show you that I think of
you very often, I take the present opportunity of doing so. I am
quite well now, thank the Lord, and we are all so far as I know, and
I hope when these lines reach you that you and yours may be quite
well. I heard from Mr. Saint Glair's yesterday— all well. My dear
master, I hear much of the coming election. I hope that Mr. Lincoln
or no such man may ever take his seat in the presidential chair. I
do most sincerely hope that the Union may be preserved. I hear
through the white gentlemen here that South Carolina will leave the
Union in case he is elected. I do hope she won't leave, as that would
cause much disturbance and perhaps fighting. Why can't the
Union stand like it is now? Well do I recollect when I drove a
wagon in the old wars, carrying things for the army ; but I hope we
shall have no more wars, but let peace be in all the land.

I have been wanting to go up to see my wife, but have not been
able, but will do so soon, I hope. Next year I should like to live
nearer her. With my best respects to you and mistress, I am as ever,
your devoted servant.

J. H. COCKE to J. A. B. :

BREMO, Nov. 18, 1860 -. I believe there have been too many Chris-
1 Servant of John A. Broadus, the well-known " Uncle Dick."

jto

178 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

tians, both North and South, praying for the preservation of our
national Union, for the combined efforts of the fanatics of the North
and the fire-eaters of the South to prevail against our prayers.

C. H. TOY to J. A. B. :

WAVERLY, SUSSEX COUNTY, VA., Nov. 25, 1860: I suppose
you are a secessionist. You have seen the action of the Alabama
brethren. I hope Doctor Boyce will disentangle himself in New
York before South Carolina leaves the Union. You all seem in-
clined to snub us in Virginia, hardly willing that we should enter the
Southern Confederacy. In that case we shall have to put ourselves
on our dignity, and rely on our prestige and our tobacco. But I hope
we shall stand together.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

ALEXANDRIA, VA., Dec. 7, 1860.
REV. DR. J. A. BROADUS, GREENVILLE, EMPIRE OF SOUTH

CAROLINA.

DEAR BRO. : What think you of the foregoing? Does that suit
you? Are you willing to be alienated from Virginia? Are you willing,
when you come to Virginia to be considered a foreigner? What be-
comes of your Seminary when its location becomes foreign? Virginia
will not send our young men to " another country " to learn to preach.
Levity aside, my brother, the times are serious now. When we last
talked about it, I had no idea the present state would come up. Still,
I will not agree that South Carolina is right in her hot haste, and
hush ! hush ! hush ! no-time-to-hsten-to-you policy. The issues are
too momentous for action without the profoundest deliberation, and
without first exhausting every possibility of doing better. I suppose
South Carolina will not be persuaded, but Virginia will not yet go
with her. The time may come, and very soon too, for Virginia to
go, but she has not yet come to it. I have greatly changed since
last Monday,

J. B. JETER to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Dec. n, 1860 : I can readily conjecture that the
friends of the Seminary are anxious lest the political convulsions of
the country should injuriously affect the interests of theological edu-
cation. I have had this apprehension myself ; but on a calm con-
sideration of the whole subject, my fears have been quieted. If the
rights of the South can be maintained in the Union, the country will

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 179

soon settle down into its usual quiet and prosperous condition, and
the course of the Seminary will be unobstructed. If a division of our
country should take place, then, undoubtedly, there will be some
sort of union among the Southern States, and we shall be compelled
to look to our own section for theological instruction. I am afraid
the pecuniary crisis, consequent on our political troubles, will greatly
embarrass the agents of the Seminary in the collection of funds, and
may prevent the completion of the subscription within the limited
period. The South Carolina Baptist Convention will have it in its
power to lengthen the period of obtaining subscriptions, and, in view
of the extraordinary crisis, will not, I presume, hesitate to do so. In
any event, let us trust in God. He can overrule the agitations of
the country, and even the disruption of its government, for the pro-
motion of the cause in which you are laboring ; and I hope he will.
We are painfully anxious here about the fate of our beloved coun-
try. The sentiment of Virginia at the close of the presidential elec-
tion was decidedly in favor of maintaining, if possible, the rights of
the South in the Union ; or failing to secure them, to leave it in con-
cert with the Southern States. But the hasty acton of South Caro-
lina, and probably of other cotton States, will prevent, or greatly
hinder, the accomplishment of these designs. What course Virginia
will pursue no mortal can tell. The question of division with Vir-
ginia and Maryland is a very serious one. They are the border
States. Soon or late, division must result in wars and bloodshed. . .
These States must become battlefields of the contending parties, and
their sons must bear the brunt of the fierce conflict. Secession is, in
my view, comparatively a light matter to the cotton States ; they are
far away from the common foe, wide States lie between them and
danger, except on the ocean side where they must be attacked, if at-
tacked at all, at great disadvantage. My own opinion is that the
time has come when we must have an adjustment of our difficulties
with the North, or go out of the Union. The incessant agitation of
the slavery question, and the sectional aggressive policy of the free
States, cannot longer be endured. I confess, however, I cling with
great tenacity to the Union. With all our perplexities, we have been
the freest, happiest, and most prosperous nation that the sun has
ever shmed on. If there could be a stable Northern and Southern
Confederacy, the prosperity of the country would be but little im-
peded. But secession is only the beginning of the end. It is easier
to pull down than to build up. The history of Mexico, Central
America, and the South American States should warn us of the im-
pending dangers. Already the outlines of half a dozen confederacies,

180 LIFE AND LETTERS OP JOHN A. BfcOADUS

and a limited monarchy besides, have been projected. When the
spirit of discord is once fully aroused, who can lay it? Will it not
be sad, if between Northern fanaticism and Southern rashness the
best government that the world has ever seen, the work of our rev-
olutionary fathers, the admiration of the friends of freedom in all
nations, and the last refuge of republican liberty, should perish? My
only hope is in God.

J. WM. JONES to J. A. B. :

LOUISA COURT HOUSE, VA., Dec. 17, 1860 : The Board have
decided not to send out at present any of the missionaries under ap-
pointment. Toy talks of going out anyway and taking the chances.
I suppose you will be in a foreign land in a few days. The sece~s-
sion feeling is growing in Virginia very fast.

MRS. E. L. C. HARRISON to J. A. B. :

BELMONT, VA., Jan. 10, 1861 : I postponed answering your kind
and welcome letter longer than I wished, in consequence of an effort
Doctor Harrison made to procure a South Carolina note to send the
children to buy some little Christmas present. He was quite unsuc-
cessful, but will avail himself of the first opportunity that occurs to
send them something.

Like yourself we have felt a great anxiety relative to the affairs of
South Carolina. Indeed no one can do otherwise than have the most
fearful apprehensions for the country. We can only pray that the
Divine Disposer of events may see fit to overrule these things to his
glory and our good. The future seems dark and gloomy from the
present aspect of affairs.

Papa1 is in Charleston, a painful looker-on of things passing
around him. He finds the climate very pleasant, but thinks of going
farther south, perhaps to New Orleans.

MRS MARY STUART SMITH to J. A. B. :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Jan. 10, 1861 : Together with all the
rest of the country, the distracted state of political affairs occasions us
great concern. We heard last night with feelings of deepest regret
that an engagement had already taken place between the South
Carolina and the United States troops. It was said that there was
an interruption of the telegraphic wires, so that there was nothing
but the one fact stated. What could the United States government
have expected but resistance m attempting at this time to reinforce

1 Mr. Tucker.

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 181

Fort Sumter? Last Friday Mr. Buchanan ordered a day of solemn
fasting and prayer that the Union should be preserved, and by his
order, they say, men were sent off to reinforce Fort Sumter on Sun-
day, thus precipitating matters and forcing on the war It seems
strange and inconsistent conduct. We had a very interesting day on
Friday.

MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO to J. A. B. :

BALTIMORE, Jan. 14, 1861 : Though I know the suffering in
South Carolina must be very great, still I try to hope that the ac-
counts that we have are exaggerated, and that it is not so terrible as
it is represented to be.

Doctor Fuller gave us a very touching sermon yesterday morning
from Heb. 12 : 5. He has recently been most sorely tried. As he
said yesterday in his sermon, he had both the rough wind and the
east wind sent upon him, for he had been cast to the ground by the
troubles which were distracting our country, and he has recently had
a terrible shock in the death of his second daughter. She died very
suddenly ; was passing the morning with her mother, and had just
put on her wrap to go home with her husband, who had called by
appointment to take her home to dinner ; just as she rose to leave the
room she said, "What a singular pain I have in my head," and fell,
and showed no signs of consciousness afterward. The death was a
terrible shock to all who knew her.

J. A. B. to MISS CORNELIA TALIAFERRO :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Jan. 22, 1861 : You will excuse me for being
a little amused at the conception you had formed of our condition
here. The representations of the newspapers as to affairs in this
State seem to surpass in exaggeration and shameless mendacity any-
thing I ever happened to observe before. I may be believed, perhaps,
when it is understood that I was most earnestly opposed to the action
of the State in seceding, and deeply regret it now. I have at this
hour no sympathy with secession, though of course it would be
worse than idle to speak against it now, and though, equally of
course, I mean to do my duty as a citizen here.

Well, I have taken considerable pains to inform myself, and I am
satisfied there is no greater pecuniary trouble in this State now than
all over the country ; and as to the necessaries of life, abundance and
cheapness— prices are no higher here than they were at the same
time last year.

The South Carolina people are hot-headed, and all that, but with

182 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

all their faults, they are generous, honorable, brave. They believe
they are doing right, morally and politically. They cannot be co-
erced into submission. It is simply impossible. They may be
ruined, but not finally subdued. Whatever be the truth as to the
right of secession, these people must not be forced ; it will be sheer
folly, utter madness to attempt it.

For me, I can do nothing. I try to perform my daily duties, and
am thankful that in these troublous times, I am so busy ; and I pray
God to direct and overrule to the advancement of his cause, and the
glory of his name.

The Seminary numbers thirty-eight students, though four or five
of them have left, from sickness at home, etc., etc. We get on
smoothly, and 1 greatly enjoy my work. Brother Boyce is a strong
anti- secessionist man, Brother Williams strongly secessionist, Manly
mildly so. But neither that, nor anything else, has ever caused the
slightest jar among us.

Mr. Collins' address is most able and eloquent, and I noticed in the
" National Intelligencer" a statement that it was making its mark.
As to objecting to its being received here, Doctor Manly takes the
New York u World," which is becoming rabidly Republican. There
is no surveillance over the mails. I might receive a copy of the
"Tribune" and it would occasion no remark, though of course it
would injure a man to be a regular subscriber to it. I suppose nine-
teen out of twenty of the people of the State are strongly secessionist.
The rest are quiet of course.

My health is pretty good. I gained some flesh in the autumn, and

have not had to miss a lecture during the session. Mrs. B and

the children are in their usual health.

JOHN HART to J. A. B.:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Feb. 2, 1861 : It has been a very long
time since I heard anything from you, or I think you from me. Per-
haps being a citizen of a foreign State you feel somewhat less interest
in the people and affairs of Charlottesville than once. I hope you
will not, however, be a foreigner to Virginia long. It is impossible
to say with certainty, but I believe and hope that in two weeks more
Virginia will be where she belongs, by the side of the Southern States
already withdrawn. Mr. Holcombe has resigned his chair at the
University and is a candidate for the Convention. I hope he will be
elected, though some of his friends are doubtful.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :
ALEXANDRIA, VA., Feb. 26, 1861 : The Northern mind would calm

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 183

much quicker if nobody would talk about taking Fort Sumter, and
true enough, the South would be more easily managed if Fort Sumter
were surrendered ; but the South certainly must be regarded the ag-
gressive party in regard to the forts, and they ought to come down.
We all say the South shall not be coerced— that means that the Fed-
eral sword shall not be employed to force submission to Federal au-
thority, but if by a happy combination of maneuvers we could exert
a moral coercion I should be delighted, and just that is what I want,
and what I hope will be brought about.

Your Commissioner Preston made a very eloquent speech before
our Convention. I think he offered a gross insult to the old com-
monwealth in the promise that if she would go down to Montgomery
she could get anything she wanted,— the presidency or vice-presidency
or anything else,— she might have entire dominion.

I confess I have not suffered the fears that have haunted many
about Mr. Lincoln's administration. I have felt that a Henry Clay
Whig could not well be far wrong. I also confess that he is probably
quite a rough, unpolished customer, not much acquainted with court
styles, and will constantly expose himself to ridicule, some of it just,
much unjust, but if he will only listen to Seward he will put him
through. Did you read Seward's December speech? There was
sense in that— statesmanship. So I think.

ALEXANDRIA, VA., April 6, 1861 : Will Thomas came last Friday
a week ago and preached until Thursday night. Will is much of a
preacher. His sermons are equal to anybody's— powerful, interest-
ing, effective.

ALEXANDRIA, VA., April 27, 1861 : I am not a secessionist— the
word angers rne now—but I am a Virginian. Virginia in the Union,
if men were wise enough, unselfish enough, virtuous enough to ap-
preciate and preserve a union, is my favorite idea— but if Virginia
cannot belong to the Union without servile degradation from Northern
aggression and domination, then I am for Virginia and nothing else
at present. You see no doubt our Convention has turned us over
provisionally to Jeff. Davis' provisional government. Well, I
am content with it. Virginia, I think, will overwhelmingly ratify.
. . . Here scarcely any will be hardy enough to vote against it Such
a vote would bring down on any man's head such a storm of indig-
nation as not many could brook. We are wild with the idea that
Lincoln has insulted— threats of vengeance for our offers of peace ;
and we may be called fully united in a determination to see him

1 84 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

through. And before the New York " Tribune " has the pleasure ot
apportioning the beautiful lands of Virginia among the wretches to
whom he has promised them there will be such a carnage as the
world has never seen. The North seems quite as united as we, and
how far they may go cannot be safely foretold. At present they
will not be likely to invade our State, but how soon they may get
some pretext for doing so I know not. Major General Lee is a
prudent and skillful warrior. I hope he may not precipitate hostili-
ties. Virginia is not ready for a conflict, but she is making herself
so as rapidly as possible. Our city is a military encampment. Brig.
Gen. P. S. G. Cocke has his headquarters here. We have a
thousand soldiers in the city, not more, if so many. Washington
contains nearly fifteen thousand with many thousand more near at
hand. It is rumored that the New York Seventh Regiment and
sundry others have refused to take Lincoln's oath. They say they
came to Washington under special orders from General Scott, to de-
fend the Capital. That they will do, but nothing more. We shall
see. Intercourse with Washington, heretofore so great, has almost
ceased with our people. I must try to bear the humiliation of be-
longing to the Southern Confederacy under the force put upon me
by the North. We cannot stay with them, therefore we turn the
other way. It is difficult to realize the condition of things. Very
difficult to believe that we are surely going into war, but the proba-
bilities are so great we cannot refuse to fear it. Who has brought
it on us, is not now under discussion. It is altogether unfit that we
reopen questions among ourselves until we make an adjustment with
the common enemy ; but if we live, if we survive the general wreck,
we may then take occasion to insist upon saddling the right horse.

1 Three weeks before the close of the session, Doctor Boyce and the
writer went to Savannah to attend a meeting of the Southern Baptist
Conventon. At Charleston we took a sail-boat, in company with
Boyce's early friend, William G. Whilden, and visited Fort Sumter,
to see the effect of the bombardment which had caused its surrender
by the United States troops. We lunched on Morris Island, which
afterward became famous in connection with the blockade and siege.
In returning we encountered a very high wind which made the voyage
of the little sail-boat increasingly difficult, and at last dangerous.
Whenever we tacked, beating up against the wind, the waves burst
over us, wetting the whole person and deluging the boat. We learned
afterward that many boats were upset in the bay, and some lives

1 Broadus, " Memoir of Boyce," p. 178 /.

THE CHANGE TO HIS LIFE-WORK 185

were lost At length we gave up the attempt, and went before the
wind to Point Pleasant, returning to the city at night when the storm
was over, Boyce was a good swimmer, having had much boyish
practice in those very waters, and was characteristically cheerful, and
even hilarious when the waves would break over us. It is stll re-
membered in what a comical quandary his colleague was, who could
not swim, as to the proper generosity in his assurances that the Negro
boatman should be rewarded if the boat capsized and his life was
saved. Enough must be promised but not too much, or the boat
might be helped in going over, The Convention at Savannah passed
resolutions showing sympathy with the cause of the Confederacy,
Doctor Boyce discouraged anything of the kind, and through life he
always strongly opposed the interference of religious bodies as such
with political affairs.

J. A. B. to MRS, ARCHIBALD THOMAS:

SAVANNAH, GA,, May 9, 1861 : I learn with deep regret that your
excellent husband is no more. I remember how highly my father
valued his friendship, how kind he has always been to me, how
much he has done for his fellow-men and the Master, I think of the
integrity, the sound judgment, the straightforward kindness, for
which all men praised him, and of the simple trust in Christ our
Saviour of which he gave ample proof, and I feel that I, and all who
value real worth and Christian usefulness, share with his family a
common loss, But it is all gain for him,

Please offer to all the family the assurance of my sincere sympathy,
I too have lost a loved and honored father, and I feel for friends on
whom such a loss now falls.

The dreadful war was in full blast, and the Seminary
was caught amidships.

CHAPTER X
THE SHOCK OF WAR

" Come as the winds come, when

Forests are rended ;
Come as the waves come, when
Navies are stranded."

—Scott,

IN June, 1861, Doctor Broadus journeyed to Virginia,
preaching the commencement sermon at the Univer-
sity of North Carolina on the way. After preaching in
Richmond at the First Church, in Charlottesville, and in
Culpeper, we see him on June 16, preaching before
Kershaw's regiment and the Albemarle regiment at
Manassas. Battle was in the air. He returned to Green-
ville the middle of July.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

CULPEPER, VA,, July 23, 1861 : You will have heard it, but you
must have my word for it, that on the twenty-first the Confederate
army met a grand attack of the Federals and gained what might be
called a glorious victory. Glorious in the honor it attaches to our
nation, and in its present and prospective results. Of the fight on the
nineteenth you have read ; that was full of good results for us. Sun-
day a grand attack of Lincoln's fully appointed force was made. . . All
the chosen troops of the Federals, the fifteen thousand regulars and
their select artillery, were in the attack. The fighting was unparalleled.
The regulars fought nobly, fearlessly, and skillfully. About two
o'clock, it is said, the enemy had won the battle, if they had seen
their advantage. Beauregard saw it, and headed seven thousand
men to the rescue. Then dreadful was the conflict. Johnston came
in nobly. By three o'clock the battle was decided, the enemy was
retreating,

Sherman's dreadful battery had been taken and retaken three
times, the third time it was held. The cavalry pursued, the enemy
186

THE SHOCK OF WAR 187

Tost sixty pieces of artillery, all the baggage wagons and the bag-
gage, their commissary and hospital stores, about fifteen thousand
stand of arms, innumerable small arms, etc. It is said they had
made a depot of provisions at Springfield. Our Mr. Daingerfield
told me this morning, they had left stores there worth a million and
a half of dollars. . ,

How plain it is to any that the God of battles disposed for us. We
wanted arms, he got them for us. We wanted particularly hospital
stores, medicines, he provided a medicine wagon full of all we
wanted, especially a large supply of the very best surgical instru-
ments. Venly God is with us. We wanted more of everything
than we had, and here we get something of everything. The best
cannon belonging to the service, Sherman's batteries of rifled can-
non, with all his elegant horses and perfect appointments of all sorts.
Very few of our friends are hurt as far as I know. I have not been
able to hear from Clarence, but that his regiment was not much in
the fight. I am hoping they might get us to Alexandria very soon,
God grant it.

Lincoln and Scott had certainly planned a great affair, and had no
doubt of its success. They were provided to go on to Richmond,
had everything necessary for enjoying the trip. Great quantities of
champagne, etc. And no doubt at all, they confidently expected to
pass right through, driving Beauregard before them to Richmond,
there to be met by Butler from Fort Monroe, and to consummate the
triumph by capturing the rebel Congress. It is thought many mem-
bers of Congress (the Federal Congress) followed the army on Sun-
day to witness and enjoy the victory.

Great praise is due to Culpeper County for its hospitality to the
sick and wounded. Scarcely a family in all the country round but
has from two to a dozen convalescents, feasting them and making
them comfortable by every contrivance they can make. Martha has
two very nice young men that have been with her now more than a
week.

On July 28th, the South Carolina Baptist Convention
was in session at Spartanburg and Doctor Broadus
preached from Ps. 44 : 6-8.

There was naturally much exultation. A thanksgiving service
was appointed for Sunday morning. The preacher urged our entire
dependence on Providence, and the great importance of not taking
everything for granted from a single success. The tone of his ser-

1 88 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

mon was commended by some leading brethren, but others evidently
felt that he was not quite up to the requirements of the occasion
Our Southern cause was right. The right must succeed. Yes, the
right had succeeded, and this must continue. Such was the feeling of
many good men, while of course others, such as Doctor Boyce, were
more thoughtful, and better acquainted with the illustrations given
by history to the true and scriptural doctrine of providence.1

H. H. HARRIS to J. A. B. :

LEWISBURG, VA., Dec. 12, 1861 : Perhaps you have heard, or wift
hear by the papers, of the disbandment of the University volunteers.
. . . What shall I do next? that is the question now in my mind and
in the decision of which I want your assistance. I have had little or
nothing to do with the attempt to have the company disbanded, no
anxiety to get off from a service which I entered from convictions of
duty and in which I have been blessed with so much better health
than I've had for a year or two, as also in many other ways. . .
During the last five months in the wilds of Western Virginia and in
camp where men exhibit themselves in their true characters unre-
strained by the rules of society, I have seen, would I could say felt,
more than I had ever before conceived of the wickedness of man, the
destitution which prevails, and the great need of ministerial labor.
Thoughts of going to Greenville therefore_return upon me, although
the session is so far advanced.2

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

CHARLESTON, S. C., Dec. 23, 1861 : I have returned again to my
work3 with additional zest. . .

Our service at night was as largely attended as usual, or nearly so.
You, who have been a pastor, can imagine something of my feelings
for these poor men. But not all of them— now especially when I
know that we are in the course of ten days to occupy James Island,
where the battle is expected and where we will probably have to
bear the brunt of the battle, having to receive the enemy until the re-
inforcements come up. You cannot know how tenderly my heart
yearns over them. How many, after all, must go unprepared into the
presence of God. I feel like preaching all the time and would do it
if I thought I could accomplish more that way. But alas for the
unwillingness of men to hear the gospel. I would only thus frus-

1 Broadus, " Memoir of Boyce," p. 179.

2 He came and stayed only during January and was off to the war again.
8 Chaplain in the army. See page 187 m " Memoir of Boyce."

THE SHOCK OF WAR 189

trate all the good I would do. Oh, that God might only aid me
and help me in what I can do ! It would be enough to bring multi-
tudes to him. But I often wonder as 1 look at the indifference of
men. On the removal from Summerville one poor fellow here, who is
only half-witted, was asking others if they could pray, saying we
ought all to be converted before going to battle. It had been told as
a joke, but how fearfully true it is. And how singular that such a
remark should have come only from such a one and how much
more so that it should be spoken of as a funny thing.

My heart is greatly cheered by the interest exhibited by the men.
I trust that God will bless us. Pray for us, and that often. Let me
know how matters progress at the Seminary.

While Doctor Boyce was chaplain in the army, the
other professors were trying to keep the Seminary going
and were supporting themselves by preaching to country
churches.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

CULPEPER, VA., Jan. 30, 1862 : England will not help us, I fear,
until we have suffered yet very long. Her people are delighted that
Mason and Slidell have been surrendered and they thus saved a war.
That proves that they are not spoiling for a fight. The Burnside
fleet will do much damage to our coast and perhaps penetrate the in-
terior. The Kentucky fights are not certain to issue favorably to
us. They will probably not do so unless Beauregard should so fill
the troops with enthusiasm and daring as to make them invincible.
Some hope for that. . . A sack of salt was retailed last week in Rich-
mond for one hundred and ninety-two dollars. Fifteen bags, less
than two bushels each, were sold here on Saturday last at twenty-
three dollars the bag.

GEO. J. SIMMONS to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Feb. i, 1862 : . . I am gratified to learn of Bro.
Dickinson's success. He certainly has a popular cause, one that
strongly appeals to the benevolence of all Christians, and I feel a
laudable pride that the Baptists of the South have been made in the
Providence of God the pioneers in this glorious work.1

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :
CAMP GREENVILLE, S. C., Feb. 5, 1862: My best regards to

1 Colportage work in the army.

icp LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Mrs. Broadus and remembrances to Williams and Manly, You may
judge of the eagerness of our men for books from the fact that with
little more than half the regiment on hand, I distributed last Sunday
three hundred Testaments and Bibles, forty hymn books, and a large
box full of reading books. Kind regards to all the students.

S. S. KIRBY to J. A. B. :

JOHN'S ISLAND, Feb. 18, 1862 : . . Ought we not, especially at
this time, to have a tract for profane and wicked professors and
camp backsliders, who plead the influence of the camp as an apology
for their indulgence in wickedness ? I think we ought, and 1 write
to ask you if you will not write such a one and have it published by
some of our tract societies?

In response Doctor Broadus wrote the tract and called
it, "We Pray for you at Home." It is a noble appeal
and was accompanied by a hymn by Dr. Basil Manly, Jr.,
"Prayer for the Loved Ones from Home." An extract
is given :

We pray for the cause — that just and glorious cause in which you
so nobly struggle— that it may please God to make you triumphant,
and that we may have independence and peace. . .

We pray for your precious life— that if it be our Father's will, you
may be spared to come back to your home and to us. . .

We pray for your soul. Ah ! what shall it comfort us, and what
shall it profit you, if you gain the noblest earthly triumphs, the most
abiding earthly fame, yea, every good that earth can give, and lose
your soul? If we continually beseech the Lord that your mortal life
may be preserved and made happy, with what absorbing, agonizing
earnestness must we pray for your immortal soul, that it maybe de-
livered from the eternal degradation and wretchedness which are the
wages of sin, and be brought to know the sweetness of God's serv-
ice here, the rapture of his presence hereafter. We know it must be
hard for you, amid the distractions of camp life, the alternate excite-
ment and ennui, the absence of home influences and the associations
of the sanctuary, to fix mind and heart on things above. We do
not doubt the nobleness of your impulses, or the sincerity of your
frequent resolutions to do nght, nor do we exaggerate the tempta-
tions of a soldier's life. It is no reproach on your manliness, and no
assumption of superiority on our part, to utter the mournful truth,
that spiritually man is always and everywhere weak ; that you

THE SHOCK OF WAR igl

wrestle against outnumbering and overpowering spiritual foes. We
pray that you may be inclined and enabled to commit your soul to
the divine Saviour, who died to redeem us, and ever lives to inter-
cede for us, and who with yearning love is ever saying, " Corne
unto me." We pray that the Holy Spirit may thoroughly change
your heart, bringing you truly to hate sin, and love holiness, and
may graciously strengthen you to withstand temptation, and give
you more and more the mastery over yourself, and the victory over
every enemy of your soul. Whether it be appointed you to fall
soon in battle, or years hence to die at home, may God in mercy
forbid that you should live in impenitence and die in your sins.
Whether we are to sit with you again around our own fireside, and
" take sweet counsel together as we walk to the house of God in
company," or are to meet you no more on earth, oh, may God in
his mercy save us from an eternal separation !

ANDREW BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Mar. 10, 1862 : . . Everything here is astir.
The brilliant naval victory off " Newport News " has brightened
many a countenance. The government seem to have gone to work
afresh, and the people are rising above the depression caused by our
recent reverses. God grant us all deep humility, and the spirit of
earnest prayer.

J. A. B. to JAMES P. BOYCE :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Mar. 14, 1862: . . We are in much anxiety
about the application to the governor and council, of which Manly
wrote you. If no letter comes to-night, Manly is going down to
Columbia to-morrow in order to ascertain. If the students are not
exempted from the draft, all that are now here, eight, will leave
Tuesday morning.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B.:

COLUMBIA, S. C., Mar. 16, 1862 : I could not find the governor
yesterday at his office, but I succeeded in seeing two of the council,
who are in fact our dictators. Colonel Hayne and General Harllee,
whom I saw, expressed decidedly the opinion that our students need
give themselves no uneasiness.

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

ADAM'S RUN, CAMP GREENVILLE, Mar. 16, 1862 : I have been
thinking more deliberately than I could at Greenville about the mat-
ter you spoke of and concerning which I found your letter on my

1Q2 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

return to camp. I think now it would be best to have no commence-
ment. I think also that inasmuch as we will hereafter change the
end of the session to the first of May you might close at that time, and
announce the fact not as a sudden ending of the term but as the be-
ginning of a new order of things. State distinctly the fact that we
will open the first of September. . .

We have no large diplomas, had only one, the plate is in Phila-
delphia. Bro. Hyde will therefore have to wait until the war is
over. He might receive a written one. I would have it and the
small ones given at the Seminary building without any other cere-
mony. The Board will not meet until summer at the State Conven-
tion. Let me know, as I would like to be at the final examinations
so far as practicable. . .

I see that the Mission Board are going to appoint missionaries to
the soldiers. It will be a valuable work. It will be a much pleas-
anter one in many respects than that of chaplain. I trust that many
of our best ministers will devote themselves to this work. . .

I feel grateful to all of you for your kindness to me during my
absence as in former times, and especially so to Bro. Williams for
his labors with my class. I shall have the comfort of knowing that
at least one class ought to understand theology if they do not.
What would I not give for his wonderful power to put things clearly
before those he addresses. Best regards to them, also to your wife
and kind remembrances to the children.

JAMES THOMAS to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Mar. 21, 1862 : I do not know but in the muta-
tions of these troubles I may seek refuge with my family at Green-
ville. My son William and family have fled from Warrenton, left
house and home, and are expected at my house to-night. Our army
has fallen back from the Potomac to Gordonsville, Culpeper Court
House, and Fredericksburg. . .

Now you may think I am alarmed ; not so, no more than I was
when the troubles first commenced. I always felt that the earth never
saw such scenes as would be when abolition got into power. They
are getting nearer to us but I trust they will never get to Richmond,
and I don't believe it ; yet I fear it as a possibility. I wish to be
prepared, if I can, to take care of my family. Have you many Ne-
groes in your region ? Do you ail feel safe?

MRS. MARY STUART SMITH to J. A. B. :
BELMONT, VA., April 6, 1862 : You will no doubt be surprised to

THE SHOCK OF WAR 193

hear from me so soon again, and would that I had other than sad
tidings to communicate ! My dear father1 is very ill, lying, as it were,
at the gates of death. When I first realized the terrible apprehension,
day before yesterday, that he might never recover, my first impulse
was to write to you and beg you to pray for his restoration to health.
No one, 1 believe, feels more deeply interested in him, or knows better
than yourself what he is to his family, and would more willingly
render this office of friendship — earnest, Christian prayer.

We have the promise of Scripture that the prayer of faith shall
heal the sick, and I believe it firmly.

BELMONT, VA., April 8, 1862 : With a sad heart I have to make
the announcement to you that my beloved father is no moie. Words
cannot express, as you well know, our sense of this appalling calam-
ity. I beg you now, to pray not for him but for us ; if ever there
was a stricken, bereaved family we are one now. I hope I may be
able to compose my faculties sufficiently to give you some particu-
lars, for I am certain all concerning him would interest you. I sup-
pose you received a letter I wrote you last Sunday morning. Alas !
while I was beseeching prayers to be made for his restoration the
fiat had already gone forth, and I believe now he was dying at that
time. He expired about half-past ten o'clock Monday morning,
quietly, almost without a struggle, but without the power of giving
utterance to a single parting admonition, or even bidding one of us
farewell. . . We must believe this was a wise arrangement of Provi-
dence to spare him some keen pangs. . .

There was no need of dying testimony from him, for his life had
been a " living epistle," and as far as he is concerned we ought,
and I trust we do, rejoice that his toil-worn body and wearied spirit
are at rest. True to his character to the last, no sick person ever
gave so little trouble, and he even did not like to trouble any one to
lift him into bed the night before he died. Even while I write all
this I cannot believe the sad reality, that we shall never hear his
loving voice again, nor have his counsel and direction more. The
thought is too full of pain to take in. Oh, it will lend fresh charms
to our prospects of heaven, — the hope of meeting him ! Pray for us
all, but especially the dear boys, who will be almost heartbroken, I
expect.

H. H. HARRIS to J. A. B. :

No. 4 MONROE HILL, UNIVERSITY OF VA., April 9, 1862 : If

1 Dr Gessner Harrison.
N

IQ4 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

suddenly set down in CharlottesviIIe some fine day, I doubt whether
you would know where you were. The surrounding mountains in-
deed preserve their relative places, so do the old streets and most of
the houses, but the people— I hardly know one in fifty whom I meet.
Instead of the young men who are gone we have a weakly looking
set of convalescents from the hospitals ; at least half South Caro-
linians, each eating his "pint of goobers." And instead of the
ladies, who stay at home much more than they used to, we have
refugees from Loudoun, Fauquier, Culpeper, Greenbrier, etc., with
whom both hotels and many private houses are filled. And finally,
instead of the students are Colonel Barksdale's 47th Virginia Militia,
seventy strong on West Range, Colonel McKinnie's 88th Regi-
ment, one hundred strong on East Range, and our company on
Monroe Hill and Dawson's Row, I believe they count about twenty
students attending lectures.

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

CAMP LEESBURG, April 9, 1862 : I had seen the announcement
in the papers of the death of Doctor Harrison. No one but one of
literary pursuits, and especially such as value the classics, can realize
the loss to the country of such a man. By all such he will be uni-
versally deplored. I have noticed that his family have been griev-
ously afflicted during the past year. Do you know, I saw him only
once and that for a moment? But it was long enough to show me
that his private virtues equaled his public advantages to the world.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

LYNCHBURG, April 12, 1862 : God help us to be grateful that our
lives are spared through so much dreadful war. I left Culpeper on
the 1 8th of March, came to Lynchburg and got a house, and on the
23d got here through great tribulation with my family and effects.
We are keeping house, and hope to have you with us before many
months.

J. P. BOYCE to G. W. RANDOLPH :

RICHMOND, VA., Aug. 20, 1862 : Hon. G. W Randolph, Secre-
tary of War. Dear Sir : Allow me to ask you if the clause in the
exemption bill of the Conscription Act by which ministers of the
gospel are exempted does not also by a fair construction exempt
students of theology preparing for the Christian ministry. . .

The inquiry I address to you is of importance to several semi-
naries of different denominations and not simply to the one on be-
half of which I address you. Should these students not be exempted,

THE SHOCK OF WAR 195

their doors must be closed and the supply of educated ministers to
their respective denominations be entirely cut off. This supply is
now limited. To destroy it will be disastrous to the moral and re-
ligious condition of the country. To continue it will scarcely
weaken at all the army of the Confederate States. The statistics
of the past show that not more than one hundred students will
probably be found each year in all the seminaries combined. . .

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., August 25, 1862 : Best regards to Mrs. B . I

would send a pretty message, but I have always been afraid to say
anything pretty since she gave my compliments the cold shoulder.
Tell her anyhow that, whatever I think of you, I still recognize
her as the better half. Wouldn't she like to know what I told
Doctor Jeter the other day when he asked me what sort of wife
she makes Brother Broadus? Best love to my colleagues, as we
congressmen say, or I should say, my learned and distinguished
colleague, for whose intellect and acquirements I have the profound
est respect.

When the Federal army got possession of Fredericks-
burg, in April, 1862, Dr. Wm. F. Broaddus was one
among the sixty prominent citizens arrested in retaliation
and as hostages for some Northern men imprisoned in
Richmond. They were kept in the Old Capitol Prison
from April to October and were then released through
the kind offices of Mr. Marye of Fredericksburg.

WM. F. BROADDUS to J. A. B. :

FREDERICKSBURG, VA., Oct. 8, 1862 : Yours of the 2nd inst is
at hand, containing congratulations quite enough, and of questions
more than enough, I accept the congratulations in full, and will
answer the questions in part.

1. " Did your health suffer?" Not at all. I had ice water and
newspapers in abundance, and my lady friends in Baltimore and
Washington sent constant supplies of the very best eatables. We
cooked our own meals in our own rooms, and lived like old Vir-
ginians. The whole nineteen fared welL We never went to the
prison table. . .

2. " What of Northern sentiment? " Much divided I think. The
" National Intelligencer," and many other leading sheets, denounce

ig6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

the proclamation and prophecy evil. Editors from Pennsylvania,
Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio were in the prison. They say the Northerners
will shortly shed each other's blood. I attach some consequence to
their opinions.

3. " Did you see Samson?" Yes; twice he called to see me.
He is tiue to the South. Fuller also came to see me. He take the
oath ! Phew J He is all right ; so are Adams, Pntchard, Wilson.
On parole one day in Washington, I found most of my old friends
"Secesh," some bold as lions, others prudently silent, lest Mrs.
Grundy should know their sentiments. Washington is about
equally divided on the questions involved in the war. . .

6. " Will there ever be peace? " I think so, soon. Neither sec-
tion can stand it much longer, and Europe will intervene, or inter-
pose, or inter-something else, before very long. Above all, the God
of peace will give commandment that the war shall cease, and then,
who can prevent peace ?

I do not know what you mean by *' notwithstanding Sharpsburg."
You surely have not heard the truth touching this most brilliant of
all achievements.

The Seminary was closed this fall, and did not open
again till after the war, as Doctor Boyce failed to obtain
exemption for ministerial students. Since the preceding
spring Doctor Broadus had been preaching every Sunday
at various points in South Carolina. In November he
became pastor at Cedar Grove and at Williamston, and
continued to fill in the other Sundays at various points.
While the weary war was dragging on, Doctor Broadus
began his " Commentary on Matthew/' Everything
grew darker and darker. One cheering circumstance
was the coming of his warm friend, Rev. W. D. Thomas,
of Virginia, in February, 1863, as pastor of the church at
Greenville.

J. WM. JONES to J. A. B. :

CAMP THIRTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, HAMILTON'S CROSS-
ING, Mar. 30, 1863 : By the way— what think you of the proposition
I made in my last that you spend your summer as army missionary?
Or, if you would like it, I could get you a commission as chaplain
to labor in A. P. Hill's Division, where you would be very comforta-

THE SHOCK OF WAR 197

bly quartered with brethren Ned Hill and Jim Field, or in a good
artillery regiment. I am very sure that you would find it a wide
field of usefulness, and it may be that your health would be materi-
ally improved by it. Think about it and if you should decide to
take the chaplaincy write me to that effect at once. , .

We shall probably follow Mr. " Fighting Joe " on another " change
of base " so soon as the woods are in condition to allow us to move.
I saw Toy ten days ago. He is chaplain in the Fifty-third Georgia
Regiment, Seemes' Brigade, McLaw's Division, and is quartered
near here. Is looking very well and seems to be enjoying himself.
His Syriac books are in Norfolk and he has, therefore, been com-
pelled to fall back on German for amusement.

Wednesday night, April 15, 1863 : . . I was very glad to hear that
you were at work on the notes,1 and have no sort of doubt that they
will prove widely useful. I shall most certainly secure one of the
earliest copies printed if I live to see them published. But I fear that
your labors in this direction will prevent your visit to the army of
Northern Virginia, on which I've so much set my heart. . . Of
course we can't tell, but it seems to be the general impression that
General Lee intends crossing the upper Rappahannock and making
a flank move on Mr. Hooker. In that case I take it for granted that
our corps (Jackson's) will as usual make the move some dark night
while Longstreet amuses the enemy in front of Fredericksburg. I
look to the opening of the campaign with perfect confidence — our
army is in splendid condition and fine spirits. I was gratified to
learn the other day from a perfectly reliable source that our army
here is now stronger than it was at the Fredericksburg fight, although
three divisions have been sent off ; the increase being from the return
of those who were wounded or sick. Our successful resistance at
Charleston and Vicksburg has had a fine effect on the spirits of our
army generally.

Stonewall Jackson urged Doctor Broadus, saying to
Doctor Jones : " Write to him by all means and beg
him to come. Tell him that he never had a better op-
portunity of preaching the gospel than he would have
right now in these camps."

He promptly replied that he would be glad to come ; that he had

been seriously and prayerfully considering the question ; and that

i On Matthew, ~

198 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

he had only been prevented from entering the army before by a
doubt as to whether his feeble health could stand the exposure of
camp life ; but that he would at least try it as soon as he could make
his arrangements. When I met General Jackson a few days after the
reception of Doctor Broadus's letter, and told him that he would
come, the great soldier said in his characteristic phrase: " That is
good ; very good. I am so glad of that. And when Doctor Broadus
comes you must bring him to see me, I want him to preach at my
headquarters, and I wish to help him in his work all I can." Alas !
the battle of Chancellorsville came on a few days afterward, and
before the great preacher could see the great soldier, Stonewall
Jackson had " crossed over the nver to rest under the shade of the
trees."1

July and August and half of September were spent in
daily preaching to Lee's Army, now in the churches at
Winchester, now at the convalescent camp, now to
Corse's Brigade, the hospital at Charlottesvjlle, Mc-
Gowan's Brigade, Mahone's Brigade, Smith's Brigade,
Gordon's Brigade, Scales' Brigade, Jones* Battalion of
Artillery, Brown's Artillery, and Nelson's Artillery. J.
A. B. afterwards wrote : " For three months of that sum-
mer I preached as a missionary in General Lee's army.
It was the most interesting and thoroughly delightful
preaching I was ever engaged in." Besides the preach-
ing Doctor Broadus was war correspondent of the " Char-
leston News and Courier."

It was furious and exciting work, and Doctor Broadus
threw his whole soul into it till finally his throat gave way
completely from so much out-door speaking. Dr. J. Wm.
Jones has a most interesting account of this phase of
Doctor Broadus's career in " Christ in the Camp." 3

J. A. B. to MRS. CHARLOTTE E. BROADUS :

COLUMBIA, S. C., Tuesday, June 22, 1863 : Hot, hot, weary day ;
but got on safely, reading the papers, and talking with various ac-
quaintances, and sleeping, and eating. Very good food I have, and

1 Dr. J W. Jones, in "Seminary Magazine," April, 1895.
* " Christ in the Camp," pp. 312-315, and ja6.

THE SHOCK OF WAR 199

much. Old Negro woman, handing water, looked at niy open bas-
ket, and said, " Massa, whar is you gwme to? " " Oh, I am go-
ing to Virginia." "Ah, well," she said with an air of relief and
satisfaction, as if that accounted for my having so much. At junc-
tion with Spartanburg train, met Mr. and Mrs. De Fontaine (" Per-
sonne "), was introduced, and had some pleasant conversation. He
is busy with his book about the war, and hopes to have it out in two*
orthree months. He is pro-Beauregard and anti-Davis, very strongly,
and so we didn't quite agree. Showed me a confidential letter from
Beauregard, written in very good spirit, but intimating that he had
been badly treated by the president ; also a pamphlet printed by
Beauregard (but not published), defending himself, and hard on the
president. His wife is a joyous, gay girl, bright and witty, and suits
him very well, I guess. He is a small man, with thin and very pale
face, and brown hair and beard : very gentlemanly and agreeable.

A deserter on the train jumped off while in rapid motion, with
handcuffs on, and was not caught. Several were brought down
to-day.

LYNCHBURG, VA., June 27, 1863 : Here I am, sitting on brother's
porch steps, at 5.30 A. M. Have been here half an hour, and read
the morning paper through. The family are not yet up, and I have
forbidden the servant to wake them. It is a pleasant morning, and
my heart glows at the thought that I am in Virginia again. For an
hour before we reached here it was light, and we were coming up the
James — crossing it several times, skirting its rich bottoms, catching
glimpses of its pretty hills and green vales, here a huge rock, rising
abrupt from the river, there a clump of trees high on a hill, and again
a pretty house lying on the slope, or nestling in a vale, and every-
where the glorious green grass ; ah ! if you were here I should be
very happy.

CAMP THIRTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, WINCHESTER, VA.,
Saturday, July 4, 1863 : Jones got back late last night, and came
this morning before I was dressed, and so after breakfast I came out
with him to camp, and am now writing in his tent. His regiment,
Thirteenth Virginia, is all the infantry that hasn't crossed the Poto-
mac, and they will probably go next week. The men had famous
plundering after the late capture. In the " Sentinel " of July i (if
Thomas has preserved it) you will find a letter he wrote, giving the
best account I have seen of the capture of Winchester. . .

What can I do at preaching? I fear, not much. There are about

200 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

twenty men stationed here, but they are busy with picket and provost
duty. There are many passing through, but they stop only a few
hours or a day. Five miles off, at Jordan's Springs, is a hospital of
a thousand sick and wounded. I am to preach to-morrow morning
at the Presbyterian church, and in the afternoon or evening at some
other, and then to try an afternoon service next week and see if we
can do anything. . .

WINCHESTER, VA. (Camp isth Va. Inf.), Monday, July 6,
1863 : I did not go back to town on Saturday. They have pure
coffee, captured of course, and it begins to disagree with me. Other-
wise, I get on well enough. My sleeping is on a little wooden frame,
having under me an oilcloth and a blanket to soften the plank, and
another blanket for cover, with my overcoat for a pillow. . . Toler-
able congregation at O. S. Presbyterian Church yesterday morning.
Preached on the prayer for the Ephesians (3 : 14, etc.). At night,
great crowd at Lutheran church— text, Prov. 3 : 17, " Her ways
are ways of pleasantness," etc. You perceive that I am taking my
old sermons. It is very difficult here to think up an unfamiliar dis-
course. I haven't got used to the tent, and am constantly making
acquaintances. A good many soldiers in attendance both times yes-
terday. The sermons were not particularly good or particularly bad.
God grant that they may do some good. Oh, it is so hard to preach
as one ought to do ! I long for the opportunity, yet do not rise to
meet it with whole-souled earnestness and living faith, and after-
wards I feel sad and ashamed. There is an appointment for me to
preach this and several successive afternoons (five o'clock) at the
Lutheran church. But I fear nothing can be done, as the whole
community, citizens and soldiers, is astir about the late battle near
Gettysburg, of which we have very conflicting and very exciting ac-
counts, and there will probably be wounded men here to-day or to-
morrow, requiring attention. But we'll see how things look this af-
ternoon. I do not go into the reports current about the battle, because
you will see more reliable accounts before you receive this. . . I
can't say that camp-life attracts me. I suppose that with the army,
where a whole division would often be within walking distance, one
might find much more to interest him. Out here we have but a
fraction of a regiment.

WINCHESTER, VA., July 7, 1863 : I went to the stage office to
secure a seat to Staunton, and learned that the chief surgeon here
has impressed the stages to send off the slightly wounded, and citi-

THE SHOCK OF WAR 2OI

zens must wait. So I mean to wait, and meantime to do all I can in
the hospitals. As things get quiet in the wards, I can go in and sing
and pray and sometimes talk ; and in some way or other I may get
a chance to preach some during the week, with plenty of chances
for Sunday. . . I am very well satisfied, because it is so clear that I
must remain. I shall, of course, be in not the slightest danger ; for
even if General Lee has to leave Maryland again, as some folks
now fear, I can keep on the Virginia side of him. I have only a
carpet bag, am very well, and can walk if I can't ride. So be easy
about me, as I am. Took tea last evening with Doctor Boyd, the
distinguished New School Presbyterian minister — very kind family.
The late battles were at first a success, and afterwards a reverse,
nothing to boast of on either side, and dreadful losses on both. That
is all we can make out to-day.

WINCHESTER, VA., July 8, 1863 : After dispatching my letter

yesterday at twelve o'clock, I went to Mrs. MagilPs. Mrs. M lives

on the main street, which is the turnpike, right at the north end of
the town, and all the wounded soldiers who were coming from Get-
tysburg via Martinsburg, passed right by her door. I found the
family busy in preparing and handing out slices of buttered bread to
the poor fellows, and took hold to help. Money had been placed in Mrs.

M 's hands for this purpose, by persons aware that she always did

this, and so we went into it largely. When the bread got low, she
sent to the baker's for a great basket full of loaves. Pound after
pound of butter was brought out with bowls of scrambled eggs to be
spread on the bread instead of butter — every now and then there
came out a pot of coffee, and a neighbor several times sent in sup-
plies, including some buttermilk. The result of it was that we
worked there, stopping for dinner, until five o'clock, when the sup-
plies were exhausted, and everybody broken down, and stll the
wounded were pouring in, on foot, on horseback, in ambulances or
wagons. They are sending on toward Staunton all that are able to
go, most of them on foot ; and the hospitals here, with the basement
of one church, are overflowing.

WINCHESTER, Saturday, July 11, 1863: By the way, Mrs. Ma-
gill had some corn bread yesterday for breakfast, the first time they
had seen any corn bread for six months. They were handing it
around (egg bread) as a great rarity and delicacy, and I told them
I would not condescend to eat it. I black my shoes every morning,
as Mr. Graham does his, and they shine in a style they are not
used to.

202 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Walter Bowie is here, with a very bad wound in the foot. He is
a noble fellow, and bears up beautifully. He is captain, and was
commanding the regiment when he was struck.

WINCHESTER, VA., Monday, July 13, 1863 : . . General Lee is
in line of battle, extending from Hagerstown to Falling Waters,
below Williamsport, and awaiting an attack from Meade. If they
attack, he will defeat them. If they keep aloof and Burnside and
somebody should strengthen the force that threatens Richmond, Lee
will have to go there, It is now believed here, that if there is no
fight in a few days, Lee will recross the Potomac, and the second
Maryland Campaign will be ended, with very slender results.

I preached yesterday morning at Doctor Boyd's church, at night
at the Lutheran again. Jones and I have appointed preaching, es-
pecially for the soldiers, for every afternoon this week at five o'clock,
at a Methodist church near the principal hospital. 1 don't think we
can do much, but something is better than nothing.

WINCHESTER, VA., Friday, July 17, 1863 : Unpleasant rumor
this morning that Charleston has fallen. If it should fall, I shall
think of coming home sooner than I had intended. Don't be uneasy
about me, whatever happens. I mean to be prudent, and hope God
may preserve me as well as you.

WINCHESTER, VA., Tuesday, July 21, 1863 : I preached Satur-
day morning to Corse's Brigade, two miles out of town, and in the
afternoon my last sermon at Doctor Boyd's church. Sunday morn-
ing I went out to the brigade again, and preached forenoon and
afternoon. At last I was preaching to the soldiers, and I enjoyed
it very much. Some of the regiments contain many Baptists, from
Fredericksburg and Caroline, from Richmond and Henrico, etc.,
including several Broadduses from Caroline. Mr. August, formerly
Methodist preacher in Charlottesville, was chaplain to one of the
regiments and treated me very kindly. He had found some hats for
sale here, and taken two or three out, and one of them did not fit the
man it was intended for, and did fit me ; so the major and one of the
lieutenants gave it to me. Cost them twenty dollars, worth thirty
or forty dollars in Richmond. My Williamston hat is generally
acknowledged to be superior to anything that has been seen of Con-
federate make. That I have in my carpet-bag.

STAUNTON, VA., July 24, 1863 : . . Setting out Wednesday af-
ternoon at three o'clock I rode on the deck seat of the stage, which

THE SHOCK OF WAR 203

was filled with wounded men and surgeons. So all the next day.
There was no cushion but my overcoat. A North Carolina captain
along was sick, and finding him tired with sitting flat on the top, I
gave him my seat in the afternoon of yesterday, and rode on a trunk
in the middle of the top, where I fought the branches of the trees,
played with the telegraph wire, and occasionally calculated how far
off I should fall if my trunk were to imitate the " Flying Trunk " of
Anderson's story, and at the next great jolt bounce off into the air.
We got in safely at 8 o'clock last night. . .

I worked awhile with Taylor this morning distributing newspapers
and tracts in the hospitals, and afterwards rode to see the graveyard,
where the graves of twelve hundred soldiers lie in long rows and
squares, and ten or a dozen are regularly dug beforehand and kept
waiting. Oh, this dreadful war !

LOCUST GROVE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Friday, July 31,

1863 : This morning I am going to Culpeper, to preach in the army
again. I think Uncle William and Hiden can do more good among
the soldiers here without me than with me. Think I shall stay in
Culpeper, if the army doesn't move, for a week or ten days, and then
come back here to rest. Most of the army are within a few miles of
town.

CULPEPER C. H., Monday, Aug. 3, 1863 : . . I went to Cousin
James Broadus's. His wife died several weeks ago, ten days after
the arrival of her daughter, Mrs, Stone, from Africa. Sue, Mrs*
Stone, is looking well, having greatly improved during her trip. She
spent some time in England, including a week at the residence of the
celebrated Isaac Taylor, one of whose daughters has been her fellow-
missionary. She gave me interesting accounts of him Saturday
night, and I expected to have much more talk with her if I had re-
mained here. She also stayed some time in Baltimore, and brought
me five pair of beautiful yarn socks from Miss C. TM who knit them
expressly to send me. . .

Tea with Major E. B. Hill, where I met General A. P. He was
very cordial. His dignities have not puffed him up, but have only
sobered him. He accosted me as " John " at the beginning, and it
was " John " and " Powell " all the time. . . This morning at day-
break I was aroused by a trooper at the door, with Major Field's
compliments, and they were about to move, and he had brought a
horse for me if 1 chose to go with them. My cold continued and my
throat was slightly sore, and the sun promised to be very hot, so
that I declined his offer, determining to take the cars for Orange. . f

204 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

LOCUST GROVE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Aug. 5, 1863: Felt very

weak and prostrate when I reached Charlottesville, don't know why,
for no derangement of the system. Even before night, the delicious
coolness and quiet of your old home refreshed me, and now, after a
long night's sleep, I feel considerably better.

ORANGE C. H., VA., Saturday, Aug. 15, 1863 : I wrote at Lo-
cust Grove yesterday afternoon. Mr. Hart took tea with me, and
listened to some pages of my manuscript on Matthew. He seems to
take real interest in my work, and I hope for benefit from his sug-
gestions. . . My efforts in Mahone's Brigade were not wholly
fruitless. I am told that a Presbyterian officer in one of the regi-
ments urged an effort to get me as chaplain, and said he would
himself pay three hundred dollars extra towards the salary. (Don't
be uneasy : no notion of turning chaplain.) And, what is more im-
portant, they have been holding prayer meetings all the week and
had last night five hundred present, with much appearance of inter-
est. I hope Hatcher's sermons to-morrow will be a blessing. I mean
to try to get there myself within a week or so.

CAMP THIRTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, SMITH'S BRIGADE,
EARLY'S DIVISION, Monday, Aug. 17, 1863 : . . There is a famous
old Baptist church here, known as " Pisgah," a small bnck house,
in which we have meetings, and our camp is one hundred yards off.
Quite a revival in almost the whole division. I preached Sunday
morning here, and in the afternoon went a mile back to Gordon's
Brigade of Georgians, and preached. General Gordon is a Baptist
and a very pleasing man. Last night I slept in Jones' tent on the
ground, with my clothes on, and slept pretty soundly, thanks to being
tired. Had some of my tea made in a tin cup for supper and break-
fast, which helped me mightily. Dinner yesterday nothing but beef
and peas (cow-peas), with bread, but I enjoyed it. This morning
preached again at ten o'clock, and afterwards Jones baptized nine. . .
In all, over forty in this brigade have been received into the various
denominations within ten days, and the work is widening. . .

You have acted nobly, my dear wife, in submitting so patiently to
my absence, and I am sure you'll bear it still. Whatever good I can
do here, you deserve the credit of it much more than I do.

ORANGE COUNTY, VA., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 1863 : Wrote last
night from camp of Early's Division. This morning came up and
preached at the chaplains' meeting on the text, " Who is sufficient
for these things?" Overwhelmed with invitations to come and

THE SHOCK OF WAR 205

preach in different brigades. About sixty preachers were present of
the different denominations, including nearly all the chaplains of
Ewell's and of Hill's Corps. Came down to Mr. Scott's to dinner,
where I now am, in company with Jones, Hatcher, Jos. S. Brown,
and Herbert Harris. Am going back to the division this evening,
and expect to remain about there till after Sunday, and then to come
up and preach in Hill's Corps. Hatcher reports decided interest in
Mahone's Brigade. There are six or eight brigades in which there
is a great work going on.

J. A. B. to MISS ELIZA S. BROADUS :

CAMP THIRTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, SMITH'S BRIGADE,
EARLY'S DIVISION, EWELL'S CORPS, A. N. V., Thursday, Aug.
20, 1863 : I was preaching yesterday about Joshua, and his saying,
" As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,' ' and there, in the
midst of the sermon, I felt anxious about you and Annie. Oh, may
God give you the grace to put your trust in the Saviour, and to
devote your lives to his delightful service— that I and my house may
serve the Lord.

J. A. B. to MRS, CHARLOTTE E. BROADUS :

SMITH'S BRIGADE, Saturday, Aug. 22, 1863 : Yesterday morning
not long before the sermon ended, Hon. Jeremiah Morton and two
ladies rode up, having supposed the service would be at eleven o'clock,
while it was at nine. We were in a grove, the church being too small,
and they were approaching from my rear. What a sensation ! I
told some of them afterwards that I knew, before the party came
within my view, that either General Lee was approaching, or a lady.
Poor fellows, they tried hard to listen to the balance of the sermon,
but ever so many would be glancing again and again to the side
where the ladies sat on their horses, with riding dresses and hats,
looking quite picturesque under the oak tree. . .

I am going to Orange C. H. this morning, and expect to preach
in Hill's Camp hereafter. Shall probably make Bro. Scott's my
headquarters. I have stood the camp-sleeping without catching
cold, and am thankful for the privilege of this week's steady preach-
ing.

ORANGE C. H., Aug. 28, 1863: I have not written for two or
three days. Am staying at Bro. Scott's. Preaching every morn-
ing at eleven o'clock in Mahone's Brigade. Caught a slight cold
the first of the week, which is affecting my throat somewhat, so that
I have avoided preaching more than once a day. Congregations

2C6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

good in the morning, and very large at night. I am going to-night
because I can't keep in sympathy with the meeting unless I attend
them, although I fear for my throat in the night air. Mean only to
make fifteen minutes' talk. . . Oh, there is such an opportunity to
preach in the army now, that I want to be preaching all day long,
and can but lament my feebleness, and console myself with remem-
bering that something is better than nothing, . .

If my health were vigorous and my " Commentary" work had
never been undertaken, I should have no hesitation in thinking it
my duty to labor in the army permanently. I could, with God's
blessing, do much good, though there are numerous brethren who
could do more, for I greatly lack some important requisites for such
work. . . I could, perhaps, stand a soldier's life as a soldier, but
with all the anxiety and nervous exhaustion attendant upon a preach-
er's work, which even before 1 went to Greenville used often to
bring me into great prostration, I could not stand it. This is my
chief reason, but I do feel that my " Commentary " work is of more
importance, and that even at home I should not be living merely for
myself. . . I think I want to do right about it.

CEDAR GROVE SUNDAY-SCHOOL to J. A. B. :

CEDAR GROVE, S. C., Aug. $ist, 1863 : The reception of your
letter made many little hearts happy. When the announcement was
made to the Sunday-school that it would then be read, all noise was
hushed, eager faces were turned to listen — faces that lit up with
smiles, as the little ones of your flock heard that they were not for-
gotten amid your many labors and duties. But when what you
said concerning the battle that was going on when you got there,
was read, eyes in that quiet little church sparkled, but not with
smiles now. And the looks of assent that were given to your ad-
vice, augured that it would be followed.

J. A. B. to MRS. CHARLOTTE E. BROADUS :

ORANGE C. H., VA., Friday, Sept. 4, 1863 : . . Hillary Hatcher
is still going on with his meeting, and yesterday twenty-seven were
received for different denominations, making sixty-four in all, of
whom twenty-four are Baptists. It is understood that Hatcher will
to-morrow be appointed chaplain to one of the regiments of Mahone's
brigade, and H. H. Harris has just been appointed to another regi-
ment. The two regiments march together, and camp together.
Hatcher and Harris were fellow-students at Richmond College, and
will work pleasantly, and they two can do the work of the brigade.

THE SHOCK OF WAR 207

On Sunday last, a captain m the 6th, who is a zealous Baptist, sent
me word by Hatcher that if I would furnish a recommendation of
Harris, the colonel would appoint him, and the appointment has been
made accordingly. I feel very glad that I have been, however slightly
and casually, the means of furnishing this interesting Virginia
brigade with two good chaplains.

ORANGE C. H., Monday, Sept. 7, 1863 : Yesterday morning I
preached at McGowan's brigade, and dined there with Harrison
Griffith and Col. Brown (who is a Baptist). Excellent dinner I
made, fine beef soup, really well prepared, and plenty of it, and cap-
ital green apple pies, very well made indeed. These were my dinner,
as I took no meat. Griffith's wife was expected yesterday after-
noon, and it was pretty to see him and a young lieut. colonel from
Newberry, whose wife was coming also. Both put on their very
handsomest. The young colonel came by an hour too soon, going
to the depot, and told Griffith confidentially that he felt just as he
used to feel when he was going courting, didn't want any dinner
at all, and couldn't wait a moment. Griffith tried to be very quiet,
but he was very fidgety for dinner to be ready, and then confessed
that he had no appetite, and put off. Happy fellows, I sympathize
with them, Later in the evening, somebody handed me a letter
which Mrs. Griffith had brought from the Cedar Grove Sunday-
school. At four P. M. I preached, by special and repeated invitation,
at General Scales' brigade (North Carolina), dose to McGowan's.
I met Genl. S , in Winchester, slightly wounded. He is a Presby-
terian. Genl. Hill and Maj. Genl. Wilcox were present and also
Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Scales— great crowd—" Her ways are ways of
pleasantness," etc. Hill made some fuss over me, introducing, etc.,
and inviting me to come and stay with him and preach at his head-
quarters.

BEAUMONT, NEAR GORDONSVILLE, VA., Saturday, Sept. 12,

1863 : Thursday afternoon, by arrangement made at Gordonsville,
went to (Lt Col. Hillary) Jones' battalion, and preached. Charley
[Sinclair] looks very cheerful, and, as is meet, a little stuck up at
being a man and a soldier. Col. Jones, who has recently become a
communicant, assured me that a better company for a lad to enter
could not be found than Camngton's, and I took it on me to solicit
in Charley's behalf the friendly notice of Capt. Carrington him-
self. . .

Yesterday morning I went to Blue Run and preached to Col.
(John Thompson) Brown's Battery. Much interest there. Dr. J.

208 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

R. Bagby, our former student, has been holding prayer meetings,
and several have professed conversion. Many wept during the ser-
mon, and not at allusions to home, but to their sins, and God's
great mercy. . . Gilmer is dreadfully opposed to inviting men for
ward to prayer, etc., though Lacy, Hoge, and most of the Presby-
terians, do it just like the rest of us.

Dr. J. Wm. Jones, in the " Seminary Magazine " for
April, 1895, says:

As for his preaching, I had appointments for him three times
every day, and occasionally four times. He drew large crowds, and
as he looked into the eyes of those bronzed heroes of many a battle,
and realized that they might be summoned at any hour into another
battle, and into eternity, his very soul was stirred within him, and I
never heard him preach with such beautiful simplicity and thrilling
power the old gospel which he loved so well. I have frequently told
him that he never preached as well as he did in the army, and I think
that he agreed with me. We had four series of meetings running
at the same time— one in my brigade (Smith's Va.), one m Gordon's
(Ga.) brigade, one in Hay's (La.) brigade, and one in Hoke's
(N. C.) brigade. There were two hundred and fifty professions of
conversion in Smith's brigade, over two hundred in Hays', and large
numbers in the other brigades. Again and again would the vast con-
gregations be melted down under the power of the great preacher,
and men " unused to the melting mood" would sob with uncontrol-
lable emotion.

I especially recall a sermon I heard him preach at Gen. Gordon's
headquarters about sunset on the evening of the Confederate Fast
Day (he preached four times that day). Gen. Gordon had sent
around by special couriers notice that Doctor Broadus would preach,
and there was an immense crowd— probably five thousand— in at-
tendance. Generals Lee, A. P. Hill (an old schoolmate and special
friend of Doctor Broadus), Ewell, Early, and a number of other
generals were there, while all through the crowd the wreaths and
stars and bars of rank mingled with the rude garb of the private
soldier, and the vast sea of upturned, eager faces as the men sat on
the bare ground, made a scene not easily forgotten.

The songs, simple old hymns, containing the very marrow of the
gospel, were sung " with the spirit and understanding," and stirred
every heart. The reading of the Scriptures, and the appropriate,
fervent, melting prayer, such as only John A. Broadus could make—

THE SHOCK OF WAR 2OQ

were all fit preparations for the sermon. The text was Prov. 3 : 17,
" Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
I have heard him preach from that text several times, but never
with the pathos and power that he had that day. He caught the
vast crowd with his first sentence, and held, and thrilled, and moved
them to the close of the sermon. There were times when there was
scarcely a dry eye among those gathered thousands, and all through *
the sermon " Something on the soldier's cheek washed off the stain
of powder." It was touching to see the commander-in-chief and his
great lieutenants and other officers, the very flower of our Confed-
erate chivalry, mingling their tears with those of "the unknown
heroes" of the rank and file — men who never quailed in battle,
trembling and not ashamed to weep under the power of the simple
preaching of the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus. At the close of
the service they came by the hundreds to ask an interest in the
prayers of God's people, or profess a new-found faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, and I doubt not that our beloved brother has greeted
on the other shore not a few who heard him that day or at other
points in the army.

Before the end of September, Doctor Broadus was
back in Greenville. He now became pastor of the Clear
Spring Church besides Cedar Grove and Williamston,
and he took Siloam Church in the fall of 1864. From
1863 to 1866 Doctor Broadus was Corresponding Secre-
tary of the Sunday-school Board at Greenville. This
Board was chiefly established by the aid of Doctor
Broadus and Doctor Manly. It grew out of the necessi-
ties of the war to supply the wants of the children. The
Board published "The Child's Index," question books
by Manly, " Catechism " by Boyce, " Little Lessons for
Little People " by Manly, etc. Though the publications
were on the poorest kind of Confederate paper, the
quality of the contributions was excellent, and about a
hundred thousand copies of the little books were sold.
In January, 1866, the Board established " Kind Words."
The chief contributors were John A. Broadus, Doctor
Manly, Doctor Williams, Dr. Wm. F. Broaddus, Dr. W.

o

210 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

D, Thomas, Colonel Elford, and Dr. Geo. B. Taylor.
Doctor Broadus wrote as " J. A. B./' " J. Lovechild,"
"J. L.," "Theophilus," " A. B.," " A.," " Zerubba-
bel," "Z.," "R." Other familiar pseudonyms were
"Henry Hinter " and "Junior" for Doctor Manly,
" Cousin Will " for Wm. F. Broaddus, " Cousin Guy "
for G. B. Taylor, "Grandfather Grey " for Col. Elford,
"William Wrinkled " for Dr. William Williams, "Didy-
mus " for Doctor Thomas. Dr. Wm. F. Broaddus wrote
also a famous series entitled "Sermons for my Little
Cousins," all from the text " A Habit is a Habit." Some
of Doctor Broadus's noteworthy articles were " Old Mr.
Experience," "Leg over Leg as the Dog went to Do-
ver," and the " Letter R."

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, April 15, 1864 : Have just written to Williams,
urging him to go with me to Atlanta, according to your suggestion,
which Elford, Boyce, and Thomas approve. Expect to go down on
Tuesday with Boyce, who has to go to Graniteville, and have asked
Williams to go with us that day. Meet us at Ninety-six if you can,
and we can talk matters over. I'll carry (if nothing happens) Tho-
luck and some other things on Sermon on the Mount, and if you
don't meet us will leave them at Ninety-six. Wish I could spare
you Alexander, or the remarkable unpublished work you wot of.
Thank you for encouraging me to keep at it, for it is hard for me to
work cheerily amid so many interruptions and drawbacks. I think
I am now making the " Notes" a good deal better than when you
last examined, but I get on very, very slowly. I am now in the 8th
chapter.

GREENVILLE, S. C , May 28, 1864 : Glad you are getting on so
well with your continuation of the " Child's Question Book." The
notices of it, private as well as public, are all full of commendation.
The " Primer " will be ready next week, and Boyce's " Catechism "
is in the printer's hands. I advertise " S. S. Tickets " and " Teach-
er's Class Books," to be ready by ist July. What do you think
about the tickets— what to put on them? Do you think it important
to have texts of sermons? If so, don't you want to send me some

THE SHOCK OF WAR 21 1

of your favorites— just referring to them, or catchwords, by which I
can find them ?

During the last year of the war Doctor Boyce was
aid-de-camp to Governor McGrath. Doctors Broadus,
Manly, and Williams were preaching to country churches.
The bare necessities of life were hard to get. The Semi-
nary seemed dead. The end of the war no one could
see even just before the surrender of General Lee.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, S. C., April 11, 1865 : I take it there will now be
war in this country fully as long as you or I will live. AH thought
of doing this or that " after the war," must, I fear, be abandoned.
I still have strong hope that our children may live to see independ-
ence, and maybe our grandchildren, happiness. But " man's ex-
tremity is God's opportunity." As wonderful things have hap-
pened in history as that our cause should now begin to rise and
prosper.

CHAPTER XI
MAKING A NEW START

Dive through the stormy surface of the flood
To the great current flowing underneath.

— Wordsworth.

AT last the war was over and the South was prostrate.
Could the Seminary reopen ? The professors had
been living on their small salaries from their country
churches, paid chiefly " in kind." Doctor Boyce at first
proposed to leave the Seminary so as to make money for
it by his business talents.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, July 3, 1865 : Boyce makes a definite proposition.
He has determined to leave the Seminary and engage in business.
He proposes to lend to each of us three a thousand dollars for the
next session, on the faith of our salary of $1800, which the Semi-
nary will owe us, to be paid when it can get the means. I add the
following suggestions. You and Williams might arrange with your
churches to preach once a month to each during the session, ana
twice a month in vacation. We could, for the present, cease to have
lectures on Saturday, and this would take each of us away two
Mondays of the month, or perhaps I might go only one Monday. . .
C. J. Elford, with whom I have been talking, thinks the plan
entirely feasible. He says, as do others, that unless there is a great
drought, corn will be much cheaper next winter than ever before
since we came here. . .

Boyce expects to leave next Tuesday for New York, and wants
us to decide this week if possible. I am about to write a similar let-
ler to Williams, but greatly fear he will not get it. If possible ride
up and see him, and let me have answer from both immediately,
certainly not later than Monday's mail. Give the letter to the mail
agent in person. I say agree to it, by all means. Boyce will lose
the use of capital, but will have no risk, as we shall be personally

MAKING A NEW START 213

responsible to him, and the Seminary, with its whole subscribed1
endowment of at least $140,000, responsible to us.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

NINETY-SIX, S. C., July 6, 1865 : Yours of 3d reached me yes-
terday at dinner, and I went immediately to Williams , .

Williams will write you his views. . . Meanwhile, here are my
ideas — for him and you to consider — as far as I have been able to
think through the case. [We give a few extracts],

It is desirable to return to the Seminary, if possible to reorganize
it. That work is the most agreeable to my feelings. Its prompt
re-establishment secures the institution for the churches of the country
with all its boundless possibilities for good. And we are committed
and pledged to it, not only by being its representatives before the
public, its active officers, but also by having received our salaries
during the war. . .

There is hazard to ourselves in incurring a personal debt which
neither of us has funds to pay if it finally falls on us. . .

Will there be any students ? Where from ? How supported ?

Calculations on pay from churches must be extremely moderate.
Three hundred dollars, I think, is as much as could be counted on
with safety The people are both impoverished and utterly dis-
couraged.

Can collections be pushed for the Seminary either of old or new
subscriptions, for a number of years ? Will not the local institutions,
the denominational State colleges, claim with more power and suc-
cess than we the sympathies and slender contributions of the people,
so that we should be postponed to a more convenient season? Most
of the existing bonds were given by men who, I suppose, are now
unable, even if willing, to pay, and who would almost feel it as an
insult, if collections were pressed with decided earnestness.

The whole question turns, it appears to me, on the other questions :
Shall we have quiet soon ? Will the labor system settle down to a
stable equilibrium ? . .

In short, if there is a reasonable probability that Boyce's generous
advance can be refunded by the Seminary, in a reasonable time, we
ought to try it, otherwise not. . .

I would like to help you at Siloam. The difficulty is I ought to go
up about that time for my wife, and having no money to go by cars,
must take the dirt road, and that takes time. Til see about it. This
letter, of course, is for Boyce as well as you. I exceedingly regret

1 This subscribed endowment became of little value because of the war.

214 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

the idea of his withdrawing from us, but suppose he feels it his
duty as well as interest. He was the founder of the Seminary, and
its representative man more than any of us.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, S. C., July 12, 1865 : Very low spirited letter from
Williams. Am going to urge him to go to Siloam, Monday, and be
with us at least that day and the next, and let us talk again about
the matter. . .

GREENVILLE, S. C., Augustas, 1865 : Boyce home this evening.
Hopeful about his affairs. Desires to stand up to his proposition.
But says the Seminary must not fall below three professors. If
Williams can't possibly take hold, he will feel bound to do it himself,
though with the certainty of considerable, and the danger of enor-
mous, losses from inability to move about as his affairs may require,
and with a very poor chance to teach satisfactorily. It will, there-
fore, be a favor to him personally, if Williams can join us.

The end of the Seminary seemed at hand. When
they all came together, Broadus said: "Suppose we
quietly agree that the Seminary may die, but we'll die
first/'1 So the four professors held together. There
was no chance to advertise the Seminary so as to get
students. Col. Elford proposed to start a paper with
the professors as editors. It was favorably considered,
in fact, decided on at first, but seems never to have
gotten really started. Everything was paralyzed by the
effect of the war. When the Seminary did reopen on
Nov. ist, it was with only seven students. In homilet-
ics Doctor Broadus had only one student, and he was
blind. But it was like Doctor Broadus to give this one
blind student the best he had. The careful preparation
of full lectures for the blind brother led to the writing of
" Preparation and Delivery of Sermons." 3

At this time he was also teaching a large Bible class of
ladies which had begun in the Sunday-school ; but when

1 Broadus's ' ' Memoir of Boyce," p. 200. a /fcrf., p. aoi.

MAKING A NEW START 21$

he was absent, preaching every Sunday, they requested
him to meet them on Wednesday afternoons, in the lec-
ture room of the church.

J. A. B. to MISS C. F. D. :

Is it any harm for me to express the earnest desire that you should
become a Christian, and now ? We are friends, and I delight in it —
I have been your teacher in the Scriptures, and you have listened to
me often as I preached the gospel— and I pray you, be reconciled to
God. Seek the Lord while he may be found. Some people deceive
themselves, but religion is not deception. Oh, be a Christian, and
try to bring all you love to be Christians too. Begin to pray, that
you may pray for others as well as yourself, I am going to make
daily prayer for you. Oh, pray yourself— have mercy on yourself.

C. A, BUCKBEE to J. A. B. :

NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 1865 : Yours of Oct. 24 is just received. It
gives us joy to hear from you once more. Your letter breathes a
generous Christian spirit in reference to our country and the feel-
ings of the people. Your sentiments are in perfect harmony with
those of the great majority of the people at the North. We have
had conversation with a number of brethren from Alabama, Georgia,
and other States, and find that all are disposed to cultivate a truly
Christian and generous disposition, in a spirit of cordiality and con-
fidence. This we must do, for each other's sake, the country, the
colored people, and the cause of our Redeemer.

Since 1861 we have gone on in our work, though we missed the
aid of our brethren in the South.

J. A. B. to " THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER " :

As to Governor Perry. . . I believe him to be an honest man, an
article more scarce in the world, even among politicians, than could
be desired. He was always a Union man, and opposed secession
with all his might to the last, . . but afterward supported the war,
as any other decent man born and bred here, and rooted in the soil,
would have done.

The pathos of the reconstruction period was relieved
by some humor. Some of the new advisers of the Ne-
groes counseled them not to take their hats off when
speaking to white people. One morning a Greenville

2l6 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Negro met Doctor Broadus on the street and said :
"Good morning, Mr. Broadus," with a stiff air. But he
soon caught himself and doffed his hat with a hearty
" Howdy, Marse Jeems " as he was wont to call Doctor
Broadus.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. : l

GREENVILLE, S. C., Jan. 27, 1866 : The political prospect now
is very dark. God have mercy on this troubled land. I conclude
not to order any more books, nor to buy anything I can do without,
until I get more money, or see a brighter prospect for the country. . .

Mr. Getsinger's departure leaves me with nobody in homiletics
but Mr. Lunn. As it happens, nearly all the remainder of my course
is lectures, and he is a good listener. The Presbyterian Seminaiy at
Columbia has five students, though they offer to pay the students'
board. Before the war they reached sixty odd.

GREENVILLE, S. C., Feb. i, 1866 : Really it is right dull to de-
liver my most elaborate lectures in homiletics to one man, and that a
blind man. Of course I whittle it all down to a simple talk.

GREENVILLE, S. C., Feb. 6, 1866: . > I was much interested in
your graphic description of experiences in Richmond. Such details
are the life of letter writing. I deeply sympathize with your mother
in the loss of her sister. I have known what it means to watch long
beside one suffering and sinking, and at last see her pass away, a
dear, dear sister. I am very sorry I never knew your aunt. It is a
trial about the life we are living here, that we cannot get acquainted
with each other's kindred, and can so seldom see those we know
best. But anything personal must be sacrificed to usefulness.

NEAR NINETY-SIX, S. C., Feb. 19, 1866: I came down on Satur-
day as usual. Left the family as well as usual. Cars start at 4.30
o'clock now, and it was the coldest weather we have had this winter.
Bro, Williams came down also to an appointment, and we chatted
and read. So cold at the church that we built a fire out of doors,
sheltered by the house from the wind, brought out some benches,
and I believe the little group of twelve or fifteen enjoyed the services

1 Mrs Broadus had returned to Charlottesville for her first visit since before the
war. She remained some months and was much benefited in health. At Columbia,
on the way home, she was met with the grievous tidings of the death of her little
Nellie, a radiant, delightful child ; she had been ill but a few days.

MAKING A NEW START 217

uncommonly. I sat on one of the benches and preached, with the
Bible lying on my knees.

GREENVILLE, S. C., Mar. 2, 1866: There was an examination in
systematic theology to-day, so that I had no lectures, and I have
reveled all day in the new books. Some valuable German works
on homiletics— if I just had somebody to teach. Origen on Mat-
thew, in the Greek, and Grote's " Plato and the Other Companions
of Socrates," 3 volumes, 8vo, fai.—OutchJ It is a noble work,
and we must both read it very diligently to get the worth of the money.

GREENVILLE, S. C., Mar 8, 1866 : I have had some long talks
with Thomas. He thinks, from the way folks in Virginia talked,
that the brethren will keep the Seminary going in some way, and I
feel a little less discouraged about it than of late. .

GREENVILLE, S. C., April 10, 1866: It is settled that I am to go
to the Southern Baptist Convention which meets Tuesday, May 22,
at Russellville, Ky., not far from Nashville. . . See Uncle William
and say that I earnestly hope he will find it practicable to go. The
fate of the Seminary must be decided there, by a consultation among
its friends, and he could give us important help. Tell him the enter-
prise must fail unless there is a vigorous effort en the part of its
special friends.

GREENVILLE, S. C., April 17, 1866 : Made my last lecture in
homiletics to-day. Quite possible that it will be the last indeed.

I must work now over the affairs of the S. S. Board, especially Its
report to the Convention, which it will take me many days to pre-
pare. With the session of the Convention, I shall lay down that
work, positively and altogether.

GREENVILLE, S. C., April 24, 1866: This afternoon the horse
came from Cedar Grove, with a top buggy lent by a Bethel man,
till they can procure one. The horse is not handsome, but seems to
be of solid qualities, gentle and able to go along quite well. He is
seven or eight years old. They paid a hundred and forty-five dol-
lars in gold for him. So if nothing happens you can continue your
buggy rides after your return home.

J. A. B. to MISS ELIZA S. BROADUS :

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky., May 24, 1866: Keep account of the postage
as usual, and preserve this list until my return* This will be a t»u-

218 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

blesome job to you, but it is a comfort to me that I have a daughter
sufficiently intelligent and careful to be trusted with such things.
We have got a secretary now (Mr. Bitting) and you and I both may
hope soon to be relieved.

Extract fiom J. A. B.'s report as corresponding secre-
tary of the Sunday-school Board :

In looking back now (May, 1866) upon their labors during the
war, the Board feels glad that the Baptist denomination did at least
attempt some general effort towards the advancement of the Sunday-
school work at that period— a thing which, so far as they are in-
formed, was not attempted by any corresponding organization in
other denominations. And though what we did was sadly little,
compared to the need and with our wishes, the Board are thankful
that we are enabled, amid the surpassing difficulties, to accomplish
so much. . .

Sunday-schools for the colored people have, for many years past,
been conducted in different sections of the South, particularly in the
cities and towns. The recent emancipation furnishes increased mo-
tives for seeking to establish such schools, and there can be no lon-
ger any disposition to restrict them to oral instruction. On every
account it is more important that the colored people should be brought
under the influence of morality and religion, and that they should be
able to read for themselves the blessed word of salvation. And this
work must of necessity be done mainly by ourselves. No other
persons can possibly reach them on so large a scale as the whites
among whom they live, and no others are likely to have so much
influence with them, especially in the wide country districts where
they are mainly found. We are solemnly bound to use this influ-
ence for their highest good, and we may increase it by kindly and
judicious efforts to promote their educational and religious welfare.
The Board are therefore impressed with the conviction, that both
organized and individual exertions ought at once to be made, all
over the country, to establish colored Sunday-schools, and they hope
the Convention will give to this idea their special recommendation.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

WASHINGTON CITY, May 30, 1866: The meeting at Russellville
for the Seminary gave us great encouragement, and is thought to
have insured the success of the institution. Over ten thousand dol-
lars were subscribed on the spot, to be paid in five annual instal-

MAKING A NEW START 219

ments, and agents were heartily invited to Kentucky and Missouri.
We are in good spirits.

J. A. B. to DR. B. GRIFFITH :

GREENVILLE, S. C., June 21, 1866: I earnestly hope that the
contemplated Review may succeed in obtaining a national circula-
tion. But I cannot undertake to occupy the position of associate
editor, nor do I think the plan of having associate editors is really
best for the enterprise. . .

I need not apologize for the freedom with which I make these sug-
gestions. They will be regarded as showing my sincere desire to
see the Review do well. I shall be very glad if you can give it such
a truly religious character, and succeed in keeping it so free from all
that ought to give offense, that we of the South may find no diffi-
culty in yielding it a hearty support. It has been one of our plans
at this place to establish a Review here some day ; but the crippled
state of our finances would make that impossible now, and the future
must decide whether it shall hereafter be considered desirable.

J. A. B. to C. E. TAYLOR :

GREENVILLE, S. C., July 20, 1866 : I sympathize with the feel-
ings you express. But we have so few Baptist ministers who are
thoroughly educated and are going to have so very few of that class
from among those who were in the army, that I feel an exceeding
desire to see any young brother who has ability, preparation, and
sufficient means, passing on through the most thorough and patient
preparation. Four years from now you would be twenty-seven and
Jesus began his ministry at thirty and Paul at near forty.

The years lost in the war ought to be treated with reference to
mental culture, as a sort of resection — just consent to lose the piece
and join the two extremities. After graduating at the University of
Virginia, if you cannot restrain your impatience so far as to take
two more years here, one session would give you our most indispen-
sably important studies, Hebrew, Greek, Systematic Theology, and
Homiletics.

Meantime, if you can do half as much good among the students
as your brother George did, your college years will be by no means
a blank in the record of your life-time usefulness.

From intimations received, I expect if we live, to see you attain
usefulness of a high order. God bless you, in heart and in life, in
your current efforts to do good and in your plans for the future. In
patience possess your soul.

220 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

R. H. GRIFFITH to J. A B. :

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Aug. 20, 1866 : It is not so much that I
suppose that my views of the matter are of any moment with you,
as for the satisfaction it will furnish myself in giving expression to
my feelings, that I write to say to you that I am very, very glad that
\ ou have decided to remain in your present position in the Seminary.1
I really believe that such is the sentiment of the great body of our
brethren throughout the South, and I trust that you will receive from
those whose views should have weight, such assurances of their
gratification at your decision, as will go far towards furnishing
heart-compensation for the self-denial you make in remaining. And
yet, far more than this, I pray that the Master may so bless your labors
and so furnish your heart with delight in the work of your position
that you may have the self-satisfaction of feeling that he has di-
rected your decision. May our heavenly Father not only bless your
labors and accept your sacrifices there, but graciously fill your heart
with the delights of his presence.

You will excuse me for saying this much. It was in my heart,
and I feel better now I've said it.

JACKSON BLACKWOOD to J. A. B. :

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Sept. 17, 1866: Tell the young brethren to
learn to sing a few tunes, for I have seen some good meetings
spoiled for want of some person to raise the tune.

Doctor Broadus from the start took great interest in

the students learning how to sing.

%

J. A. B. to H, P. GRIFFITH [member of the Cedar Grove Church] :
GREENVILLE, S. C., Oct. 5, 1866 : I am quite sick, and utterly
broken in spirits — intermittent fever— very weak. Doctor Earle
says it will take several weeks before I can do anything.

I am specially dispirited at being utterly unable to obtain any
money in my present condition. It is impossible for an honest man
to live in town without money all the time. How much more when '
he is prostrate on his bed. . .

If any of those who owe me and who, I know, find it exceedingly
hard to pay anything, could understand my present state of need
and mortification, they would feel like making a most earnest effort to
pay me something.

1 He had been asked to be President of Richmond College.

MAKING A NEW START 221

I should not have been willing to speak thus/if in my usual health,
for I should have been more hopeful and there would have been
some chance that I might find out some way of getting something. . .

Keep on the old way ; that if any prefer giving provisions instead
of money, let them do so.

J. M. BROADUS to J. A. B. :

ALEXANDRIA, VA., Nov. i, 1866: I told Bro. Bitting to tell you
that if you wanted to hear from me you could take the usual course
for getting a letter ; but upon reflection, I think I am now your
debtor, not having written you since your letter explaining the Rich-
mond College affair. Well, just a word about that : I approved your
course in that matter and surely everybody else approves it ex-
cepting such as cannot see how a man is justified in " refusing a
good offer " — good in the sense of promising a handsome yield of
money. Martha and I were talking of it when I saw her last week.
The four or five thousand dollars shocked her sensibilities, but she
accepted the explanation and agreed you had done right. What is
the matter that you do not write for the " Herald" any more? I
need not say that your articles afforded a large proportion of my
pleasure in the paper. Are you busy with your twelve pupils?
Maybe your commentary has been resumed. And are you still serv-
ing three churches ?

Some reminiscences of Doctor Broadus's work at Cedar
Grove Church have been furnished by Prof. H. P.

Griffith :

I noted a little exhibition of delicate feeling and of fine perception
on his part which I was fully prepared to appreciate. He asked me
to open the Bible and read a passage from one of the minor books.
There were young ladies present and he must have noticed my blank
look, and so he with hardly any pause, went on to enumerate in order
the names of the books, so that to my great relief I had no difficulty
in finding the places. . .

Just after the war when the Ku Klux were committing great
atrocities and terrorizing the upper part of South Carolina, I was
with Doctor Broadus at a place where a small party of six or eight
young men were present. They were all strangers to him and some
of them were to me. One of the young men introduced the subject
of the Ku Klux and several of them put verbal endorsement on the
organization, or expressed their approval of it, as many good men

222 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

did. Doctor Broadus was silent for some time, but finally he spoke,
and I never heard a more scathing rebuke administered than he gave
the young men and the Ku Klux. He grew eloquent over the woes
already inflicted by the organization, and spoke with withering
power of the criminality of lawlessness and of the just retribution
that was sure to come. After we had left, I said, " Doctor you were
pretty hard on those young men." He replied, " Yes, I saw that
two or three of them were Ku Klux, and I felt it my duty to repri-
mand them in strong terms."

There was a member of our church who would never contribute
anything to the pastor's salary, though he was a man of some
means. He pretended to believe that it was wrong to pay a man for
preaching, and he could at any time quote Scripture in defense of his
position. His position was a great hobby with him, and he was
always eager for a wrangle with some one who would take the
other side. Doctor Broadus skillfully avoided all contact with him
on his hobby for several years. But by and by the man quit at-
tending church. After he had stayed away many months, Doctor
Broadus went to see him at his home. He began to talk with him
kindly and lovingly about his staying away from church, told him
that he was neglecting a duty and a privilege, and besides was set-
ting an example that would do harm to others. He told him further-
more that he (Doctor B ) had just come from the bedside of an

old man in a dying condition who had for years done just what he
was doing, and now it was the source of bitter regret to the old man
that he had so acted ; and that the time was coming when he too
would bitterly regret the way he was doing. At about this stage
the man sprang his hobby, and said, " Well, what do you want
money for preaching for? " Doctor Broadus's reply was like the light-
ning's flash. He rose to his feet in towering indignation, and said ;
" Thy money perish with thee ! I have not asked you for money.
Wait till I ask you for it, before you insult me with such an insinua-
tion." And he turned and left the man literally writhing under his
indignant scorn.

In those days he made it a point to learn something from every-
body he met. I saw him once stand by a blacksmith and watch
him intently while he shod a horse. He not only watched, but
asked many pertinent questions about the process. The blacksmith
was greatly flattered by the interest manifested, and a casual ob-
server would have thought that Doctor Broadus was trying to learn
the trade of shoeing horses. At another time I was traveling with
him on a railroad. By some means he found that a certain portly-

MAKING A NEW START 223

looking gentleman who sat far from us was a big railroad official.

On learning this, Doctor B went to him, introduced himself and

was soon seated by him and apparently engaged in a very interest-
ing conversation. He remained with him for perhaps an hour, and
when he came to me, he said : " That is Mr. , one of the rail-
road magnates. I do love to meet a man who can tell me a whole
heap of things that I know nothing about."

In July, 1864, 1 was brought home, badly wounded. Somewhere
in North Carolina I was surprised and delighted to see Doctor
Broadus step into the train. He was homeward bound and stayed
with me through the rest of the journey, showing me every possible
kindness and attention. I was unable to walk, and was physically
prostrate. I remember that an officer poured out some whisky from
a canteen for me and told me to drink it. Before I had done so, how-
ever, he added, " Stop, I'll get some sugar and sweeten it." Doctor
Broadus answered quickly, " No, don't do that. If he is going to
take the whisky as a medicine, let him do it and don't try to make
a beverage of it." The sugar was not brought. During the day
on which we arrived at home he sat down by me in the car and
talked to me long and affectionately. He gave me a good deal of
advice in regard to building up my health and thereby improving
jny wounds, and he added : " Harrison, you will now be the head
of a family when you get home (I was married and had one child)
and it will be a good time for you to begin to have family prayer.
Kneel down with your wife every night, and teach your little girl
to be still while you lift up your heart to God." He then went
on to mention many things to be prayed for, and indeed outlined
the kind of prayer that I should use, so that it would be easy for
me to make it. He did all this with such charming tact, and yet
he was so simple and earnest and affectionate, that I was impressed
for a lifetime.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. \_en route to Southern Baptist Convention] :

ATLANTA, GA., May 6, 1867 : In the afternoon tihere was a union
celebration of all the Protestant Sunday-schools. It was a grand
procession, the schools amounting to actually two thousand present.
An immense hall was crowded, and a multitude found it impossible
to enter. Probably twenty-five hundred were kept forty-five minutes
listening to a most inappropriate address from a distinguishec1

preacher, Doctor M . It was full of spread eagle, geology and

infidelity, cyclopedia and dictionary, and the poor children sat try-
ing to listen.

224 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

MEMPHIS, TENN., May 8, 1867 : Mr. Keen and I went before
dinner to see the " R. E Lee," a new and marvelously splendid Mis-
sissippi River steamer. I then got my first sight of the Mississippi.
A mighty river moving in its majesty always strongly affects me.
I must try to go alone some day, and sit and gaze an hour upon the
grandest of earth's rivers. At such a moment there is but one per-
son whose presence would not disturb me. The " R. E. Lee" is a
magnificent affair, the saloon as splendidly gilt as the halls of Con-
gress, and beautifully furnished. Oh, how much I should like to
take passage in it next week for New Orleans. When we get rich
we must take a trip on the Mississippi.

J. H. THAYER to J. A. B. :

ANDOVER, MASS., May 13, 1867 : Please accept my thanks for
your very kind note of the 2$d ult. The suggestions you make re-
specting " Winer's Grammar" seem to me to be well founded. My
experience in the use of it as a text-book, though brief, has been
similar to your own. The first and gravest difficulty I encountered,
however, on making daily use of Masson's translation arose from
its untrustworthiness. With all its ease as a translation, I found it
could not be relied upon as a faithful reproduction of the original.

Doctor Broadus was asked to preach the baccalaureate
sermon at Washington College. When he demurred at
the distance and expense, Gen. R. E. Lee sent back this
message through the Baptist pastor, Rev. J. Wm. Jones :

LEXINGTON, VA., May 18, 1867 s General Lee says : "Tell him
we are as poor as church mice, but would most gladly pay four
times the amount in order to have one of his gospel sermons and
have the pleasure of his society."

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

DANVILLE, VA., June 5, 1867 : Parted from Misses P and

W this morning at Greensboro. They are going to a Catholic

convent school, and as I looked at them in their girlish simplicity,
I felt like I was leading maidens to a sacrifice. I tried to say some
things before parting, as much as delicacy would allow, and trust it
may do them a little good, as we had become attached to each other,
and they wept at my words. I merely urged that they should love
Christ, and must lodge fast in their minds the idea that Jesus is as

MAKING A NEW START 225

truly human, with as tender human sympathy as his mother or any
one, and that no one must ever come between the soul and him.

Between Columbia and Charlotte I had much pleasant talk with
Rev. Dr. Woodrow, of the Presbyterian Seminary at Columbia, to
whom I was introduced, and who is a very agreeable man.

LOCUST GROVE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., June 6, 1867 : At
Gordonsville the others took the O and Alexandria train by a new
arrangement and went ahead. I was on the platform and waited for
the Central train, which had backed some distance, to come up,
taking for granted it would stop. Finding that it was passing without
stopping, bewildered at the idea of being left, and imagining that the
train was not yet moving rapidly, I committed a great folly by try-
ing to get on while it was in motion. I seized the iron rods with my
two hands, was immediately dragged from my feet, and found my-
self between the platform and the swiftly moving car, holding by
my hands, and dragged over the crossties, sadly near the terrible
wheels. By a great effort I lifted myself so as to get one knee on
the bottom step, and thus got on, fiercely scolded by an unknown
passenger, and feeling, I trust, thankful that my grievous impru-
dence had produced no worse consequences, and that I myself, and
not another, would tell you the story. One ankle was a little bruised
by striking a crosstie, and the jar and fright made me nervous for
some hours. I shiver still when I think of it. If my life is spared
long, it is greatly to be feared that I shall do a variety of foolish
things, but I feel at present a strong confidence that I shall never
again try to get on a train in motion. . .

The first thing I did upon entering the yard was to pluck a rose
from the " Giant of Battles," and some leaves of it shall be enclosed
in this. . .

I throw open the blinds, and yonder he the green fields, smiling
under the level rays of the declining sun, and farther the long line of
the Blue Ridge, which bears my thoughts southward to that far-off
home where the sweet wife sits who left this beautiful landscape for
love of me. God be thanked that she will not have a telegraphic
dispatch to-morrow night telling her that her husband's crushed
body lies still at Gordonsville. And God grant that we may meet
again at the appointed time, both improved in health, and that I may
be enabled to be to you somewhat such a husband as I wish and
mean this evening.

LYNCHBURG, June 8, 1867 : Boyce is somewhat sick this evening.
He is much distressed and depressed by the death of Elf ord. He has

P

226 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

about determined to stay and teach his classes next session, and de-
cide a year hence about his future.

You may know what a crowd l there is, from the fact that I did not
speak to Uncle William till noon to-day, nor to John Hart till just
now, five o'clock.

LOCUST GROVE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, June 13, 1867 : Went
up to the University and dined at Mr. Smith's. I heard part of a
lecture from Mr. Smith on " Electricity," and was very much in-
terested. Went into Mr. Peters' examination in Latin, and met Mr.
Holmes there also. Mary Smith has been much interested of late
in translating from the German, prose and poetry ; among other
things, a complete translation of Schiller's " Song of the Bell,"
which was mislaid, and I could not see it. If Annie receives two
numbers of a Philadelphia weekly, " The Age," she will find in it a
story, " The Broken Pitcher," which Mrs. Smith translated. . . I
mean to write for them. In the evening before coming back, I rode
on horseback to the country. Everywhere I go I want you with me
— every feature of the landscape makes me think of you, every me-
mento of the past is somehow associated with you.

GOSHEN DEPOT, VA., June 16, 1867 : I left Lexington last night.
... I was treated with great respect and kindness, of course, and
my sermon, though imperfect, succeeded better than I had feared,
and I trust did some good.

I wrote Saturday morning. That afternoon General Lee and several
professors called. There was a concert at night, but I stayed at home,
hoarse, and feeling badly. Sunday morning it rained considerably,
which prevented my going to Sunday-school, and prevented the
huge Presbyterian church from running over. It was full, including
some four hundred college students and cadets. I did greatly long
to make them think of Jesus.2 Oh, that I could once speak of him
somewhat as a man ought to speak. 1 dined at Colonel Reid's,
whose only son died at the University while I was chaplain, and I
preached his funeral sermon one Sunday afternoon in the public hall.
(I think you were present.) One of his daughters married James
White. I spoke to old Doctor White of you as his pupil, and he
said some kind and handsome things, speaking also of your father,
as having given him a very kind and valuable support in his early
years of teaching and preaching at Charlottesville. In the after-

1 June meetings of Virginia Baptists.
2 He preached on " One Jesus," from Acts 35 : 19.

MAKING A NEW START 227

noon I attended a prayer meeting at the Baptist church, and talked
to them, having steadily declined to preach. Took tea with a Bap-
tist brother and at night heard Dr. B. M. Smith, formerly of Staun-
ton, before the Christian Association. General Lee invited me to
dine with him, and then to take tea on Monday, but I was already
engaged for both. Monday I saw the town—called on Mrs. Lee,
who is an invalid in a wheeled chair, but exceedingly agreeable. . .
In the afternoon visited Jackson's grave. Took tea with Professor
Harris,1 who was my classmate at the University, and met there
most of the new professors, some half-dozen very pleasing gentle-
men. At nine o'clock went to the celebration of the Ugly Club,
which was quite entertaining.

J. M. GREEN to J. A. B. :

MACON, GA., May 6, 1868 : Some two months since I wrote to
my friend, Doctor Davidson, of Lexington, requesting to know if I
could obtain a biography of that distinguished scholar, Gessner Har-
rison, whose name, although perhaps the greatest scholar that
America has produced, is almost unknown to his Southern country-
men. I desire to procure such a notice of his life and character as
would be appropriate for insertion in the papers and m a biographical
dictionary. I felt that a man who had conferred so much honor on
his country should not be allowed to pass away without the slightest
attempt to perpetuate his name and fame. I have, therefore, at the
suggestion of Doctor Davidson, taken the liberty to ask of you if
you would not undertake to prepare and have published such a
sketch of Doctor Harrison's life, and also send me a copy of the
same for republication here. My reason for applying to you, is that

I have learned from Doctor D that you have been appointed to

prepare and deliver a eulogy on the life and character of your dis-
tinguished relative before the alumni of the University of Virginia.

In May, 1868, the Southern Baptist Convention met
in Baltimore. Many visiting ministers attended from the
adjacent Northern States.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

BALTIMORE, MD., May 8, 1868 : Just adjourned— great hurry.
I am quite hoarse, but general health improving. Have declined
preaching and been excused. Meeting for Seminary this evening—

1 Carter Johns Harris.

228 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

new plan— much feeling. Don't know yet what the result will be
The Lord direct. I said that reliable arrangements must be made or
I must resign this very summer.
All straight and smooth about the Northerners.

BALTIMORE, Saturday, May 9, 1868 : Session for the day nearly
over. Morning spent on the Seminary. Remarkable interest. I
suppose we shall be sustained, but it is not absolutely certain. It is
certain that we shall not, for some years to come, remove the Semi-
nary from Greenville.

Fuss this afternoon about the North and the South. Pomdexter
grew heated and Doctor Welch, from New York, is now making an
injudicious reply. These old men are rather hotheaded and I fear
some of the young men may catch the contagion. Things look a
little black in that direction.

BALTIMORE, May 12, 1868 : We are still engaged— some sense,
and some nonsense. Sunday-school Board moved to Memphis,
after somewhat hot debate, Boyce and Graves. I took tea yester-
day with Miss Cornelia Taliaferro. . .

There is to be a meeting Thursday at twelve o'clock of a society
for the education of Southern girls. I gave notice of it last Sunday
with some remarks which pleased the ladies, and some of them be-
sieged me last night to stay and speak on Thursday. The very ex-
istence of the Seminary depends on the support of Baltimore, and I
agreed to remain. . Have just refused to change back to biennial
sessions, with less discussion than 1 had feared. . . It is settled that
I am to resign my churches, and spend the summer collecting in
Virginia.

J. A. B. to A. B. WOODRUFF :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., May 18, 1868 : What can I say? I
can hardly bear the thought, but it must be so.

There was talk of sending me to England, but I objected ; I am to
spend the summer in Virginia, partly perhaps at the Springs, and
hope that I shall be strong next fall for my duties in the Seminary.
Brethren seem determined that I shall live. I can no longer do both
a professor's and a pastor's work, and everything must bend to the
Seminary. For it I left my position here, which was to me the most
attractive pastorate in the country. Brilliant proposals are made in
different directions, but I have no thought of anything else than ad-
hering to the Seminary, though the salary is not increased, and I
shall have hard work to live.

MAKING A NEW START 229

My best love to your dear wife. I have formed many friendships
at Bethel which will be cherished as long as I live.

REMINISCENCES OF J. A. B. BY A. B. WOODRUFF.

The first year of Doctor Broadus' s pastorate was for only one
Sunday in the month. He came down from Greenville, a distance
of twenty-four miles, on every Saturday before the second Sunday,
preached that day and the day following, and returned to his home
on Sunday, and for that service we paid him $200. . . During
this second year he prepared and presented to the members of the
church a scheme for reading the Bible through in a year. Many of
the members adopted his scheme and found pleasure and profit too,
in carrying out his plan. . .

He had a most affectionate way of drawing out the members to
lead in public prayer. And it was wonderful to see the extent of
success in this line of work. Men who had always been considered
immovable as to this order of Christian duty would melt down under
the influence of his affectionate loving spirit and draw us all nearer
to a throne of grace . .

When he left us, in June, 1868, it was one of the saddest days our
church had ever experienced. He was beloved by all, and in fact we
could hardly exist without him. The church had just voted him a
vacation of some weeks and he was then absent on that vacation.
His letter of resignation came and was accepted under a sense of the
saddest duty.

He was always prompt to fill his appointments when it was possi-
ble for him to do so and he was just as prompt to return to his home,
although he would very often have lo use a part of the night to
reach his home. Some of the brethren of our church prepared and
furnished him a buggy and umbrella, while the brethren of the Cedar
Grove Church, near-by, and which he also supplied, furnished him
a horse, and this supplied him with the means of transportation for
his work. The women of the congregation wove and made him a
full suit of jeans which he wore for a long time and enjoyed very
much. It was a work of love on the part of these Christian women.

After the Convention, Doctor and Mrs. Broadus were
invited to visit Miss Cornelia Taliaferro in Baltimore.
They greatly enjoyed their stay of ten days, meeting

Dr. Richard Fuller, who was Miss T 's pastor, and a

number of other friends. Meanwhile Doctor Broadus

230 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

went over to New York with Doctor Manly to attend the
May Anniversaries. He had been formally asked to
address the Home Mission Society upon " The Religious
Condition and Wants of the South."

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

NEW YORK, May 26, 1868 ; This afternoon we were formally re-
ceived, with two or three hours of grand glorification speeches, great
crowd, and prodigious enthusiasm. I feel worn with excitement, and
to-night have to make my address. I am ashamed to predict a fail-
ure—you laugh at me for doing so ; but the circumstances are very
trying, and I shall speak under many disadvantages. I fear and
tremble, for I should like to do good, and there is a chance for doing
good.

DR. NATHAN BISHOP to J. A. B. .

NEW YORK, May 28, 1868 : Remembering that the faithful laborer
is worthy of his hire and believing that your views and conduct are
aiding in restoring good will between Northern and Southern Bap-
tists, I enclose one hundred dollars for you personally to encourage
you in your efforts as a peacemaker.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ALEXANDRIA, VA , June 5, 1868: I have had an exciting day.
Seminary up this morning at eleven o'clock. Manly and R. Fur-
man made admirable speeches, and I tried collecting. Got more than
I expected, viz, eight men to give one hundred dollars a year for
five years, making four thousand dollars in all. There will proba-
bly be two or three others. Also got over one hundred dollars cash
collection, and two or three hundred has been paid on bonds. The
interest for the Seminary is strong, and I feel encouraged. I have to
make a short speech to-night for Richmond College.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., June 15, 1868: Encouraged by Bro.
Jeter, I have just written to Gould & Lincoln about publishing my
" Notes on Matthew." I am a stranger to them, and beg you will
write them a note on my behalf.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., June 24, 1868: Gould & Lincoln
write very kindly, etc.—need not wait for letters referred to, for could

MAKING A NEW START 231

not undertake to issue so costly a work now, which could not have
a rapid sale, when business is so depressed, etc. Would publish with
pleasure if the plates were furnished, which of course I can't do. A
final disappointment to me for the present. Perhaps it will turn out
for the best. I must try now and learn something instead of pro-
ducing.

My health is improving. I am trying very hard to rest and be-
have myself.

S. S. CUTTING to J. A. B. :

SARATOGA SPRINGS, June 27, 1868 : How deeply I am myself
interested in your work you already know. The education of min-
isters is not a question of the passing hour only. There is a great
future before our country, fraught with mingled good and evil, and
the good will be much in proportion as the churches of our blessed
Lord are taught and guided by a consecrated and able ministry.
That this question so looms up at the South at the present time, is to
me among the happiest of auguries, and whether for the cause of re-
union in our Baptist family, or of happily restored civil relations, or
of our country's evangelization and its permanent well-being, I know
of no way in which a Northern Baptist can use his means more
effectually for good than in aiding in the support of young men at
Greenville.

B. GRIFFITH to J. A. B. :

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 31, 1868 : Your package of MS. Commen-
tary has arrived safely, and will be submitted to the Publishing
Committee at their first meeting, after which I shall be glad to report
their action.

I greatly hope that this work may prove to be just what is needed.

Doctor Weston, a few days after the reception of your first letter,
informed me that he was maturing a plan for having a commentary l
prepared on the Gospels and other books of the New Testament by
different parties ; each person writing on one separate and distinct
book. Doctor Hovey was to be asked to write on John. Doctor
Kendrick on Luke, I think. He proposed writing on Matthew him-
self ; but he will now probably desire you to take Matthew. He pur-
posed asking you to unite m the plan and to be one of the writers.
I presume he will confer with you before long.

The idea is a good one, provided the right men are selected 1o
write on the books on which they can do best.

1 This plan resulted m the excellent " American Commentary.",

232 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

By May, 1869, Doctor Broadus's health was still much
impaired. ' A new professor, Dr. C. H. Toy, was added
at this meeting by the trustees, so that Doctor Broadus
could be relieved of homiletics, Doctor Manly taking
homiletics and Doctor Toy Old Testament interpretation.
Doctor Broadus took some interest in the discussion of
the translation given to i Tim. i : 10, by the Bible Union
Revision of Doctor Conant, where " menstealers" is
rendered " slavedealers." He strongly insisted that
"menstealers" was correct. In July Doctor Broadus
wrote a very remarkable article in the " Baptist Quar-
terly " on the closing verses of Mark, strongly advocat-
ing their genuineness.1 The article was entitled " Exe-
getical Notes " and dealt with the style of these verses
compared with the rest of Mark,

Dean Burgon in his book on the authenticity of this
part of Mark quotes freely from Doctor Broadus's article.2

B. F. WESTCOTT to J. A. B. :

HARROW, LONDON, N. W., Sept. 3, 1868: Allow me to thank
you most sincerely for your obliging note and the journal which ac-
companied it. I have read with interest the careful and sound criti-
cism to which you kindly called my attention. The limitations which
you fix to the application of simply mechanical rules in estimating
the real character and style are, I believe, most true and necessary.
Style, indeed, is the result of the relation between the individual nature
and the subject, and when the subject is varied it must, if it is to be
spontaneous, vary in like manner with the same writer. The neglect
of this obvious principle has led to the most irrational conclusions in
reference to the Epistles of St. Paul's captivity, and to the Pastoral
Epistles. As soon as we really apprehend that style is a function of
the circumstances as well as of the man, difficulties vanish which are
otherwise grave and perplexing.

With regard to the passage of St. Mark, which you most ably
analyze, external evidence leaves no doubt, in my opinion, that it was

1 See Prolegomena to Tischendorfs "No-y«»* Testamentum," by Caspar Rene
Gregory, p 1260, where he speaks of Doctor Broadus as " vtr docttssimus,"

2 Doctor Broadus afterward felt more uncertain about these last verses of Mark.

MAKING A NEW START 233

a very early addition to the Gospel and not, I think, by St. Mark. The
writer of ver. 5 could not — to express a feeling which hardly can be re-
duced into an argument — have continued his narrative in ver. g. My
experience too, in dealing very minutely with the Greek text leads me
to think that such a combination as K B k Arm (pp.) is never wrong.
We are under engagement now to complete our text of the New
Testament next year ; the work, which will appear very simple, has
cost immense labor, but 1 hope it may issue in the substantial ancient
text. It is an advantage that every reading has had the advantage
of a two-fold judgment.

The prospectus which you enclosed interests me extremely, and I
should gladly know more of the remarkable Seminary which it
describes. Indeed, there is nothing to which I look forward with
more interest than a visit to America. At present my work renders
this impossible, but it is not past hope.

As a very slight indication of what we try to do in guiding the
reading of candidates for Holy Orders, I send a little paper of hints
which is asked in our own examinations.

J. A. B. to J. L. M. CURRY :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Jan. n, 1870: I was very much obliged to
you for the copy of " Protestantism — how far a failure." It is
very timely and admirably done. I opine that " Clippings with
Comments " in the " Herald" are from you, and should be glad to
see more of them.

I could not fail to heed your suggestion last fall that I should work
towards the task of preparing a life of Christ. For some years, in
fact, I have felt that if I could do several things preparatory, and then
write, deliberately and with ample labor, a life of our Lord, it would
be the goal of my literary aspirations ; and that one of my wisest
and most cherished friends should have suggested the same thing, is
a matter of much interest to me. But the way is long, and I am
weak, and elaborate composition is very wearing to me. Last sum-
mer I went to work at a treatise on the " Preparation and Delivery
of Sermons," hoping to make a text-book for Manly, and at the
same time meet the wants of young ministers who have no course of
instruction in homiletics, and give some useful hints to older minis-
ters. I worked at it all summer, but have not yet completed it
Such books do not get a wide sale, and no publisher is willing to
take one from an unknown Southern author. So I am arranging to
publish at my own expense, through Smith & English. A generous
contribution from unknown persons in Richmond, lately received

2J4 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

through Wm B. Isaacs & Co., came when I was quite despondent
about the prospect of commanding the means to publish, and will be
a very important help to me.

I don't want my intention to issue the book publicly known till I
am prepared to announce it. I hope to get it out by the end of this

session. W. D. T x has with exemplary patience, nay, with chai-

acteristic kindness, encouraged me to read my successive chapters to
him, and has made useful criticisms and suggestions.

If I can get this out, and mend my health next summer, then I
want to finish the long-delayed " Notes on Matthew," which the Publi-
cation Society will publish.

Your kind suggestion has led me to this long account of my occu-
pations and plans. You will pardon it.

We are having a good session (fifty-eight students in all), except
that the bonds are not promptly paid, and our finances are low. I
have been exceedingly gratified at the prosperity of Richmond Col-
lege, which in the present state of affairs in Virginia seems to me
very marked and encouraging. We have a fine young man here
from Berryville, Kerfoot (graduate of Columbian), who heard you
two or three times on your tours, and speaks with unbounded en-
thusiasm of the addresses.

GREENVILLE, S. C., Jan. 24, 1870 : If I could for a moment think
of leaving here, I should look with pleasure upon the idea of joining
you at Richmond College. But I am satisfied that I have " found
my work." Oh, for strength of body and of character to per-
form it

DR. HOWARD OSGOOD to J. A. B. :

CHESTER, PA., April 7, 1870 : Doctor Weston tells me that you
expect to pass by here on your way to New York. It will give me
a great deal of pleasure to have you stop at Chester and make my
house your resting-place. Though I have not the pleasure of a
personal acquaintance with you, that is just the benefit I seek, and if
you will come under my roof I will do all in my power to make your
stay agreeable.

I have been requested to write a paper on " The Necessity of an
Abridged Course of Studies in our Theological Seminaries." My
own views of the necessity of such a course are decided — but I should
like to have a statement of your experience at Greenville.

1 W. D. Thomas

MAKING A NEW START 235

W. D. THOMAS to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., May 21, 1870 : 1 By this time you have
heard from Boyce. I can't decide for you in the case, but, if you
can see your way to do so, will be glad for you to enjoy the trip to
Europe. If you go, you had better get such guide books from Curry
and myself as we have on hand. As we have talked the matter
over I need say nothing more. . .

As to the Convention at Louisville I wish to say a few things. I
did not say all on the subject of co-operation which I could say, nor
all which I would have said had it been necessary. I certainly said
nothing which ought to offend any man North. My convictions on
the whole subject are clear and strong. I am in favor of cultivating
kindly feeling, in favor of fraternal intercourse, in favor of correspond-
ing in a brotherly way through messages with Northern societies,
but utterly opposed to having our Boards in any way complicated or
associated with theirs.

As a result of the visit to New York, where he went to
speak at the Educational Convention, Doctor Broadus
was urged by telegraph to become pastor of the Calvary
Church, New York City. On April 24 he preached for
the first time in North Orange, which led to the many
engagements in following years.

W. A. GELLATLY to J. A. B. :

NEW YORK, May 30, 1870 : A great many people in Orange
were disappointed yesterday, but they will all be glad when you re-
turn. I am afraid you are taking so strong a hold on the hearts of
the people that they will suffer severely when you get through ; you
must try and arrange to stay with us on through July and August.
I wish it might be that the Lord would indicate it to be his will that
you should remain with us for some years, at least long enough to
enable you to recuperate, so that you could return to your work at
Greenville with such an increase of health and strength as would
enable you to continue your work for years to come. My fear is that
you will return there and work yourself to death in a few years,
whereas a change of labor and climate for a few years would
lengthen the time of your usefulness in the work so dear to your

1 Doctor Boyce had persuaded the trustees to send Doctor Broadus to Europe and
Palestine for a year of rest and travel.

236 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

heart. But I fear I am on forbidden ground— nevertheless, " out of
the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh."

J. A. B. to MISS E. S. B. :

NEW YORK, June 14, 1870 : After writing to your mother yester-
day, at three P. M. I caught the steamer, and reached West Point
• (fifty odd miles) about six. It was a great delight to see the famous
scenery of the Hudson. 1 have a map of description which I mean
to carry home for Sam. At West Point, it happened to be the sea-
son of examinations. I got only an extemporized couch in the
cupola of the hotel, with the music of the "hop" sounding four
stories lower till nearly morning, and with the frequent whistle of
steamers rounding the point, or the roar of trains passing up on the
other side of the river, and waking the mighty echoes of the High-
lands. You may imagine how much sleep I got, between eleven
and five o'clock, for at five the reveille waked me, and I feared to
sleep again, lest the tired servants should neglect to wake me. For
these delightful accommodations I paid (supper, lodging and break-
fast) three dollars and a half. However, the fare on the steamer is
trifling (seventy-five cents for the fifty miles), and the ride was de-
lightfuL I saw the dress parade last evening and the drill of recruits
before breakfast, and through the window saw the Secretary of War
in a minuet (I suppose it was), and the cadets and young officers
with the belles in the waltz. Very few were graceful, though some
were. If they would keep dancing within bounds, I should make
no ado about it. But they will not, never do for any long time.
And now-a-days they begin at once with round dances, which
makes everything else tame, to be thrown in, like a promenade,
only for variety.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

NEW YORK, June 27, 1870 : Upon conference with Bro. Boyce,
I found that he would be willing to take the whole of New Testa-
ment English, so that there may be no hindrance to your taking the
whole of your polemics.

I have sent to Pagan all of the book except Delivery as respects
Voice and Action (two chapters) and Public Worship (one chap-
ter). These I can finish this and the next week, if nothing happens.
I have been taking it very easy. The hot weather last week pros-
trated me considerably. To-day I feel much better.

Next week 1 design returning to Charlottesville, and on 23d July
I am to sail from here to Glasgow. The steamers are declared by

MAKING A NEW START 237

ladies and gentlemen who have tried both, to be fully as comfortable
as the Cunarders— some of them say more so.

Doctor Broadus supplied at North Orange Church till
July 3, and formed many delightful friendships that
lasted through life. July 9 he writes to Manly : " Nearly
done on Action. Profiting by your notes." It was diffi-
cult then for Southern authors to get a book on the
market. But Smith, English & Co. pushed the " Prepa-
ration and Delivery," and Doctor Manly saw that it got
good notices.

J. A. B. to MISS E. S. B. :

LYNCHBURG, VA., July 16, 1870: I took B — L — with me

to hear a lecture by Doctor M . Subject: "Man." The fol-
lowing is an humble attempt to report it :

A collection of heterogeneous and irreconcilably incongruous ma-
terials, conglomerated into an indescribable incomprehensibility, or-
namented with fantastic creations of an insane imagination, and
constituting the climacteric of sophomoric oratorization.

He has in several respects great powers, but uses them in the most
deplorable taste, and to hear people call that eloquence is melancholy
and disheartening.

CHAPTER XII
A YEAR ABROAD

The heart ran o'er

With silent worship of the great of old !
The dead, but sceptred sovereigns who still rule
Our spirits from their urns.

— Byron.

MANY good wishes were to go with Doctor Broadus
in his search for health and greater knowledge.

ROBERT E. LEE to J. A. B. :

LEXINGTON, VA , June 21, 1870 : I am glad to learn that you have
decided to visit Europe, and trust complete relaxation from duty and
the objects of interest that will at all points attract your attention, may
entirely restore your health, and that you will return renovated in
strength and vigor, to gladden the hearts of your many friends.

He had originally planned to sail July 21 on the Anchor
Line steamer " Cambria," and he changed to the " An-
glia " J for the soth. But suddenly a suggestion was made
that two daughters of a warm friend of his accompany
him as far as Italy. So it was happily arranged and pas-
sage was taken on the " Scotia/' a Cunarder. Among
the passenger were Mrs. Horace Greeley, Gen'l Phil.
Sheridan, and some German barons and Polish counts,
"lam glad, " he wrote before landing, "I am on the
' Scotia.' It is good to feel when you wake at night,
tossed against the side of the berth and hear the waves
break against the side of the rolling ship, that you are on
one of the best and safest ships in existence."

1 On Oct. 15, 1870, Dr Warren Randolph sailed on the " Anglia," having changed
from the " Cambria " of the week before. The "Cambria " went down with all on
board.

238

A YEAR ABROAD 239

J. A. B. to MISS E. S. B. :

CORK, IRELAND, Aug. 5, 1870 : At Queenstown we touched Ire-
land. The queer little donkeys, dragging huge baggage carts, and
the queer little beggars, offering to sell matches, fiddling, dancing,
jesting all around us, made a strange sight. One bright little girl I
questioned, that the ladies might hear the rich Irish brogue at home,
and then gave her a penny. She was jubilant, and told the young
ladies she wished 'em a good husband, which they thought a fine
wish. A woman led in a man who tried to seem blind, but clearly
was not. The little girl looked up at him with the most comical
look I ever saw in my life. No one in our circle has mentioned it
all day but everybody laughs afresh. But it is impossible to give
any idea of the rude Irish wit that played like summer lightning
around us as we waited at the wharf for the steamer to Cork.

One gets out of Europe largely what he takes with
him ; and Doctor Broadus was well prepared for travel.
He wrote copious and delightful letters to his family,
enough to make a large volume. From Feb. 5, 1871 to
May 13, 1871, a diary was kept of the tour in Egypt,
Asia, and Greece, while full and charming letters de-
scribe the entire trip abroad. From these notes a nota-
ble series of articles, entitled " Recollections of Travel/'
was written for the " Religious Herald/' The material
for this chapter is so abundant that only cullings of a
more personal nature can be attempted.

Of course Blarney Castle was visited and the Lakes
of Killarney. Here the driver played a trick and drove
the party seventeen miles out of the way in a pouring
rain, in order to get more pay. As a result, Doctor
Broadus was thrown into a bilious fever and was de-
tained at Dublin for ten days in a hotel which did not
have too many modern conveniences. He was glad not
to be alone. He writes: "The young ladies are not
only contented, but thoroughly kind, and quite skillful in
nursing. . . have done all they could to help me/' A
stay at Harrogate became necessary.

240 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

HARROGATE, Aug. 30, 1870 : Here are four kinds of water. .
Imagine yourself drinking White Sulphur water with almost as
much salt as it would hold in solution, and quite warm, and you
have my fix in the morning before breakfast. It is cold here, like
the mountains of Virginia. Yesterday and to-day have been fair
and magnificent autumn days. Yesterday we made an excursion to
York, nineteen miles. . . We saw the old walls, very curious— a
jail, part of whose wall belonged to a castle built by William the
Conqueror— and the Cathedral, which was our special object. It is
the second largest in the kingdom. Its grandeur, beauty, sublimity,
thrilled and awed me. Nothing else I have seen made half such
an impression, except the ocean during a gale. Some of the win-
dows are wonderful in their immense size and resplendent beauty.

HARROGATE, Sept. i, 1870: To-day the session of the Semi-
nary begins. I have thought much about it for some days past, and
it has been always present in my prayers. God be merciful to them
and bless them, and cause his face to shine upon them — those noble
men, my colleagues, and the dear young brethren. May there be
many more than last year, and may all be prosperous.

FORT WILLIAM, HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND, Sept. 5, 1870 : On

Saturday we went to Loch Lomond, which is beautiful beyond all
description, beyond anything I have ever imagined. We saw more
to-day of the same kind of scenery, for which Scotland surpasses
all countries — the mingling of lakes and mountains. The long
slender loch runs for miles and miles, winding among the numerous,
various, and wild-looking mountains, separated by every species of
glen, ravine, and chasm, clad in evergreens or in mosses, with
sometimes a little stream running from the immense height like a
thread of silver down to the lake. . .

We have had beautiful scenery till I was overwhelmed, and could
not look at it. Made acquaintance with a couple of Highland gen-
tlemen, named Ross, who are highly educated and exceedingly
agreeable, real English people.

STIRLING, Sept. 8, 1870: The gentlemen I mentioned, Mr.
Ross, with his wife and little boy and his brother, were much with
us on Tuesday. He is a leading man in the great family of Ross,
and a large landholder In Rosshire, but spends most of the year in
England. He is one of the handsomest men I ever saw, and being
educated, traveled, and singularly pleasing in manner and disposi-

A YEAR ABROAD 24!

tion, he is attractive in the highest degree. His wife told me that at
home in England she often walks ten miles for exercise, and in the
Highlands has walked twenty miles among the mountains with her
husband, deer-stalking. . . Our friend, Mr. Ross, expecting on
Tuesday to get to his Highland estate, arrayed himself that morn-
ing in full Highland costume, to please his dependents. As a chief-
tain, he wore at his belt a silver- mounted knife, almost equal to a
bowie-knife, and on the outer portion of its sheath were stuck in a
knife and fork for eating. In the right stocking was stuck a deer-
knife. . . Have gained two pounds since leaving Harrogate, a week
ago, and gained greatly in strength. I enclose '* blue bells of Scot-
land" from the field of Bannockburn, near where Bruce planted his
banner. They were beautiful when gathered.

EDINBURGH, Sept. 13, 1870: I sent Charlie some photographs of
Edinburgh. Our hotel is on Princes Street The Scott monument
is fifty yards from our door and is the most beautiful thing of the
kind I know of, two hundred feet high, with a statue of Sir Walter
that one never wearies of surveying. The photographs of the High
Street and of the Castle give precisely the views that we get every
time we go out. But I sent the collection mainly because it is pub-
lished and sold by C. Sinclair. He says that Caithness (in the

North) is the great place for Sinclairs, the Earl of C being of

that name. In Edinburgh I see from the directory there are but
seventy-seven Sinclairs mentioned, that is, separate concerns. Of
these, five are named George, and seven named John. St. Clair,
Earl of Caithness, and several of his family are buried at Holyrood,
in the beautiful old Abbey, and a son of Sir George Sinclair in Mel-
rose Abbey. I wanted to go to-morrow to Rosslyn Castle, seven
miles from here, which belongs to the Earls of Caithness and is very
beautiful.

J. A. B. to THOMAS A. BROADUS (son of J. M. Broadus) :

BIRMINGHAM, Sept. 16, 1870: Reached Keswick (pronounced
Kezzick) at eleven. Saw, but could not enter, the late residence of
Southey. Derwentwater, a river hard-by, is a beautiful stream.
Skiddaw, the mountain so eulogized, is tame beside the Scotch moun-
tains. Southey was poet-laureate, a voracious reader and volumin-
ous writer, and very famous in his day — and in thirty years the
world has forgotten him. Some of his minor poems will keep their
place in collections, and his " Life of Wesley " is a classic— that is
all. . .

Of

242 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

I found it hard to refrain from buying Wordsworth this morning
and plunging into his poems, but I knew it would do me hurt. He
is in some respects the great poet of the age, yet one that the crowd
will never appreciate. Two railway bookstalls, at Penwith and
Keswick, amid hundreds of volumes, offered but two copies of
Wordsworth, and nothing of Southey's.

J. A. B. to MISS ANNIE H. BROADUS :

STRATFORD-ON-AVON, Sept. 16, 1870: Wednesday afternoon
we left Edinburgh. That morning I called on Doctor Hanna, but
he was out. . .

We got here at seven, and are at the Shakespeare Hotel— quite
nice. Portraits of Shakespeare all about the house. Rooms named
after some play, the name of which is over the door. The girls are
in " Love's Labour's Lost," and I m " All's Well that Ends Well."

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

WARWICK, Sept. 19, 1870 : I feel quite powerless to describe the
Shakespeare localities, or to tell aught of the feelings awakened by
seeing them I have never seen so good a description as that of
Hugh Miller, in " First Impressions of England." . .

To-day, a beautiful day since eleven o'clock, we have seen Kenil-
worth and Warwick Castles. Kemlworth is a magnificent ruin, but
after all, its real interest is in the historical and imaginative associa-
tions. Warwick Castle surpasses my wildest fancy. The grounds
are a succession of varied beauties. The castle is truly grand and
imposing. The furniture has given me a new conception of splendor.
One table (the Venetian table) is valued at ten thousand pounds.
It is inlaid with costly stones, many of them rare jewels. The
Cedars of Lebanon are far grander than are now to be found in
Lebanon itself. There are three, seen from the windows of the
boudoir, that were brought from the Holy Land during the Crusades
and planted here seven hundred years ago. They are magnificent.

My health improves very slowly. I have been traveling too fast,
seeing and doing too much. I have determined to take it more
quietly.

LANGHAM HOTEL, LONDON, Sept. 20, 1870 : We had four and

a half hours at Oxford, and spent it with exceeding great pleasure,
and most respectably heavy expense. . -

At University College we saw a memorial of Sir Wm. Jones, by
Flaxman, which I am sure I shall never forget — worthy of Sir Wm.

A YEAR ABROAD 243

and worthy of Flaxman. At Magdalen College we saw the varied
and beautiful grounds, with the Poet's Walk, where Addison loved
to stroll. At New College we visited the famous and beautiful
chapel. (New College is now five hundred years old). These are
the most remarkable of the nineteen colleges. You know they are
entirely distinct establishments, as much as if a hundred miles apart,
and that the University of Oxford is simply a general organization
which gives degrees to the men prepared by the different colleges.
Then we spent one and a half hours at the famous Bodleian Library,
the most valuable (British Museum has the largest number of books)
in the world. Oh, the books, the books— the early and rare editions,
the illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, the autographs of
famous persons, and the portraits, the portraits of hundreds of the
earth's greatest ones. Happy students, fellows, professors, who
have constant access to the Bodleian Library,

LONDON, Sept. 26, 1870 : I was greatly delighted with Spurgeon,
especially with his conduct of public worship. The congregational
singing has often been described, and is as good as can well be
conceived. Spurgeon is an excellent reader of Scripture, and re-
markably impressive in reading hymns, and the prayers were quite
what they ought to have been. The sermon was hardly up to his
average in freshness, but was exceedingly well delivered, without
affectation or apparent effort, but with singular earnestness, and
directness. The whole thing— house, congregation, order, worship,
preaching, was as nearly up to my ideal as I ever expect to see in
this life. Of course Spurgeon has his faults and deficiencies, but he
is a wonderful man. Then he preaches the real gospel, and God
blesses him. After the services concluded, I went to a room in the
rear to present my letter, and was cordially received. Somebody

must tell Mrs. V that I " thought of her " repeatedly during the

sermon, and " gave her love " to Spurgeon, and he said such a mes-
sage encouraged him. (I made quite a little story of it, and the
gentlemen in the room were apparently much interested, not to say
amused. )

We went straight toward St. Paul's, where Liddon has been
preaching every Sunday afternoon in September, and there would
be difficulty in getting a good seat We lunched at the Cathedral
Hotel, hard by, and then stood three-quarters of an hour at the door
of St. Paul's, waiting for it to open. Meantime a good crowd had
collected behind us, and there was a tremendous rush when the door
opened, to get chairs near the preaching stand. The crowd looked

244 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

immense in the vast cathedral, and yet there were not half as many
as were quietly seated in Spurgeon's Tabernacle. There everybody
could hear, and here, in the grand and beautiful show-place, Mr.
Liddon was tearing his throat in the vain attempt to be heard by all.
The grand choral service was all Chinese to me. . .

This morning I received the "Herald" of the eighth, with Bro.
Long's1 review of my book, the first information I have had of its
appearance. I am exceedingly indebted to Bro. Long for a notice
so very carefully prepared, so very kind, and calculated materially
to promote the acceptance of the book. I mean to write to him.

LONDON. Sept. 29, 1870 : Wednesday morning we went to Mr.
Gilliafs, Mr. Thomas's correspondent and friend. Delightful
weather, beautiful country, seventeen miles in train, five in open
carriage. Exceedingly handsome country mansion, built by him-
self, with a surprisingly beautiful situation, and a wide view of hill
and dale, of stream and park and dwelling. Some magnificent oaks,
elms, and beeches, and some great Cedars of Lebanon, next oldest
in the kingdom to those we saw at Warwick Castle. I got him to
show me over the house, from wine cellar (thousands of bottles, be-
sides some barrels, etc.) to roof of tower— a fine specimen, no doubt,
of a new and elegant country residence. The grounds too, gardens,
green houses, hot houses, grapery, stables, all very handsome. . .

Mr, G is a graduate of Oxford, and once traveled a year in

America ; a good business man, intelligent, very friendly and suffi-
ciently agreeable. He is a thorough-going high churchman, never
before met a Baptist preacher, except a stone-mason somewhere in
the neighborhood there, believes that Christian life is produced by
baptism and sustained by the Lord's Supper, and was very anxious
to talk with me about church questions. He warmly sympathized
with the South, and is acquainted with Jeff. Davis, Senator Mason,
etc.

J. A. B. to MISS E. S. B. :

LONDON, Oct. 5, 1870: Saturday afternoon, Oct. i, I went to

Gloucester to visit the bishop,2 arriving at 6.30. He received me
very cordially and treated me with real kindness and true courtesy.
He is a man of about my size, but erect, a little bald, with a thin face,
and a profile resembling General Capers. He walks a little lame,
having had his leg broken by a railway accident a dozen years ago,
but is a great walker. His father and mother live with him at the pal-

1 Rev. J. C. Long, then pastor at Charlottesville, Va. * Bishop Elhcott.

A YEAR ABROAD 245

ace, the father being a clergyman of seventy-seven years, and a very
sprightly, pleasant old gentleman. The bishop's wife is a tall,
quite grand-looking lady. . . He has three children. Arthur is soon
to graduate at Cambridge, and is preparing for holy orders. Miss
Florence is a tall, fair, quite English-looking girl — very modest, but
readily talking when spoken to. . . Mrs. Ellicott (she is not lady,
though the bishop is a lord) wore splendid silks, and much jewelry,
and Miss Florence had white muslin for dinner, and some plain linen
fabric at church. Miss Rose is twelve years old. Mrs. Ellicott
seemed reserved to me at first, but before I left we were somewhat
cronies. . .

We had tea in the drawing room, and the ladies retiring early, his
lordship and I had a long talk. I told him the history of revi-
sion in America, and then we talked about his present scheme. I
inquired his view about the rendering " slavedealers " in i Tim.
i : 10 (you remember my paper about it), and found him all right,
and before I left, was satisfied he would prevent any change of

the Common Version there. I mentioned A 's having adopted

" slavedealers," and he said, " Oh, but A 's no authority on

such a question." " I know that, my lord, but the people generally
think he is.'7 " Oh, well, we'll see about that." (Monday morn-
ing without my mentioning it, he hunted up the word in the best
Greek Lexicons — the same that I have — and quite satisfied himself).
Then he asked me about Baptist views. First he attacked election,
and I defended till he agreed that that wasn't so bad, if that was
what we meant. Then he asked about infant baptism, and we
argued over it for an hour — very courteous, of course, and perfectly
friendly. . .

My room was exceedingly pleasant. There were prayers at ten
P. M. and nine A. M., in the chapel of the palace, conducted by the
bishop in a surplice, with chanting, etc., but brief. The servants at-
tending were six women and two men. . . They talk English pre-
cisely as educated people do with us, except the broad " a" — that
is, they talk exactly as your Grandma Harrison does. In all the
forty-eight hours, I did not hear a pronunciation that sounded
strange, except the " a," and a fancy the bishop has for saying
know-ledge. They do not roll the "r" at all, but they always
sound it.

LONDON, Oct. 8, 1870 : I was speaking of the visit to Gloster.
Sunday I went to the cathedral, morning and afternoon. . . The
bishop preached offhand. A very fair sermon of twenty minutes,

246 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

spoken with quiet earnestness and no affectation, but without show-
ing power as a speaker. Madame and madame mere^ scolded him at
luncheon—he had been sick, and really oughtn't, etc. He said yes,
but he must teach the new canon a lesson, who had neglected his
duty, who got seven hundred and fifty pounds ($3,700) a year for
preaching twelve sermons, and now was failing. He was vexed,
and said while he had breath in his body he must preach when there
seemed occasion, especially when others were improperly standing
back. At the close of the afternoon service, he took me to walk,
son and daughter following. Didn't bring me back short of five
miles, and I was tired. He talked a great deal about all sorts of mat-
ters, for one thing about the oddness of his position as a peer and a
priest ; said he understood some of the American bishops who were
over last year were much pleased with the episcopal dress, and that
the bishop of New York had taken to shoe buckles — this belonging
to the peer, and not to the bishop. He didn't explain or remark, but
laughed. Towards the close he said (we had passed a dissenting
chapel) that other bishops shared his desire to conciliate the Non-
conformists, without making or asking any concessions, and thought
that " we can be friendly, and where they are scholars can give them
the hand of fellowship, without losing anything, even in the lowest
sense." . .

Sunday evening, the bishop showed me, in strict confidence three
chapters of Matthew, as printed from their first revision— nobody to
see it. . .
Monday morning I was away at twelve (breakfast over at 10.30),

but after I had duly declined Mrs. E Js very pressing invitation

to stay another day, the bishop suggested staying till after lunch,
and thus catching a faster train (brought me over one hundred miles
in three and a quarter hours), which I did Spent the hours in the
study. Good library for an exegetical scholar, though not nearly
equal to Doctor Boyce's. Some recent German commentaries. I
begged him not to spend time further on me, but he stayed all the
time, except when called out by callers. Very free and easy.
" There is a country squire, now, who has had a quarrel with his
rector, and I have to hear his story over again, and see if I can set-
tle it. Here, let me show you this before I go." And pretty soon,
he was back again. Offered to send me, whenever I should apply,
letters to university professors and other scholars, any I wished to

see. . . Mrs. E at parting hoped to meet me in London next

week, and was sure she would see me at J. L. I didn't know what
that was, and she said that my young ladies would tell me when I

A YEAR ABROAD 247

returned, and so they did : Jenny Lind is to sing here next week. 1

had a great time Monday at breakfast trying to teach Mrs. E

to eat raw tomatoes. Nobody had ever heard of such a thing, but
I spoke of it Sunday evening at dinner, as good for health, and so
she had some, and we had quite a fuss. The bishop came in pres-
ently, and got one too, and made faces over it, and so on. . .

Went yesterday to the British Museum again, and last night B

and I went to spend the evening with Doctor Manning, a Baptist

literary man, who will review my book. Mrs. M had never

before seen a slaveholder, and talked quite innocently about having
thought they were all fierce-looking, and I had much fun joking her.
Their son, and their pastor, who was invited, were great Southerners
in sympathy (as Bishop Ellicott said he was). Mrs. Sheppard, stay-
ing there, is the wife of " Keynote," who is now shut up in Paris—
purposely—" takm' notes, and faith he'll prent it." She showed
me a card received from him the night before, sent by balloon. . .

LONDON, Oct. n, 1870: Sunday I heard Spurgeon again in the
morning, and in the afternoon Dean Stanley, at Westminster Abbey.
I sat in the Poet's Corner, amid the famous tombs. At night went
to hear Archbishop Manning, the famous Romanist. He officiated
in the grand (and to me mournful) cathedral service. . .

Yesterday (Monday afternoon), I went again to Regent's Park
College. . . Doctor Davies, famous Hebraist, to whom I brought
letter from Doctor Cutting, received me very pleasantly, and intro-
duced me to Doctor Angus, the author, who is president, and who
has just returned from America. Mr. Gilliat gave him my book,
and having examined it coming over, he proposes to use it as text-
book m the college, which will probably help me.

Doctor Davies invited me to attend to-day a quarterly meeting of
the London Baptist Association, which I did. They received me
most cordially, introducing me to the body. An excellent essay was
read, followed by a capital address from Mr. Spurgeon, and then I
was invited to speak. I was in the mood and succeeded pretty well.

LONDON, Oct. 15, 1870: On Wednesday at two o'clock I
went to Westminster Abbey, at the suggestion of Bishop Ellicott.
Before I left Gloster he offered me letters to any scholars, asked if I
was not going to Cambridge, where I might see Lightfoot, and
finally said, if I would go one day when the Revision Committee
stopped for lunch, to send him in my card, and he would bring
out Lightfoot and I could have ten minutes chat with him—also any

248 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

other I might wish to see. . . I went to the Deanery (A. P. Stanley
is dean), sent m my card with the luncheon, and his lordship came
out saying that he had asked leave of the committee just to bring
me in for the half -hour of luncheon. He introduced me in general
at the door, and then various gentlemen came up and shook hands,
giving their names. Several deans, canons, and prolocutors were
unknown to me by title, and I don't remember. Some of them in-
vited me to visit their cathedrals, others asked about the South.
Doctor Eadie, of Glasgow, Presbyteiian commentator, a very tall
and stout man (equal to Colonel Randolph), was very civil. Profes-
sor Lightfoot (author of the Commentaries on Galatians and Philip-
pians) is about forty-five, short and thickset, rather bald, with a
fine, open, and intellectual face. He invited me to Cambridge quite
cordially. Doctor Alford has a sort of careless cordiality of manner,
which didn't please me. Mr. Westcott (you know how I like his
books) is a gentle, lovable-looking man, with a mild, sweet tone, and
with devotional feeling predominating in all his talk. I talked
principally with him and Mr. Hort about their forthcoming text of

the New Testament, in which I am much interested. Mr. W

invited me warmly to Peterborough, where he is canon. Presently
I heard the bishop's rap, calling to order, and of course retired
rapidly. His lordship followed me out, insisted that I was looking
better in health (true), was glad I had seen their gathering m the
Jerusalem Chamber and their work-table as a committee.

Bishop Ellicott was all courtesy and kindness to Doc-
tor Broadus and left nothing undone that he could do for
his enjoyment. Nisbet & Co., of London, issued a re-
print of "Preparation and Delivery of Sermons," with
introduction by Doctor Angus.

DAVID BROWN to J. A. B. :

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, Oct. 29, 1870 : 1 only received yours of the
2oth, and some days thereafter your handsome volume on " Sermon
Preparation and Delivery." I opened it merely to run over the Pref-
ace and Contents, but ere I shut it I had gone through it all. You have
collected a large amount of the best matter from the best writers on
homiletics and writers on kindred topics, and besides this have con-
tributed much that is weighty and well worth attending to of your
own. So that your volume seems everything that one requires as a
manual on the important subject it teats of.

A YEAR ABROAD 249

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ANTWERP, Oct. 28, 1870 : But a long letter from Antwerp, and
nothing about Rubens and Van Dyck. It is to see their paintings
(and others, of course) that people come to Antwerp. I have seen
all the principal ones, most of them twice, and can never lose the im-
pression made, nor wholly forget the pictures ; but it is impossible
to describe them, at least without a vast amount of detail. Rubens'
Elevation of the Cross, Crucifixion, and Taking Down from the
Cross, are the grandest pictures I have ever yet seen. . . Of the
Crucifixion I saw a copy in Edinburgh which I mentioned then as
greatly impressing me. Oh, that I might have life and health to
describe in words, even in my poor fashion, the many moving scenes
in the life of the Saviour ; the study of these great paintings, even
for a short time, as now, would in such a case help me.

AMSTERDAM, Nov. i, 1870: I find that in my ignorance I came
to the Low Countries just at the time (ist Nov. ) when they acknowl-
edge that people right often have chills and fever here. I did not
dream of such a thing. No book, and no traveler sagely telling me
what was before me, has ever mentioned it. Sensitive to malaria
as tinder to a spark, it is manifest that I must go away from here,
and if I feel pretty sharp to-morrow, we are to start at 2.30 for
Berlin. . .

DR. W. D. THOMAS to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Nov. 2, 1870: Doctor Boyce is working
like a hero and the Seminary is going well, though you are sorely
missed. . . You have heard before this of the death of General Lee.
. . . Your book is going like hot cakes. . . I hope you are taking
notes for a book of travels. .

C. J. HARRIS to J. A. B. :

WASHINGTON COLLEGE, LEXINGTON, VA., Nov. 16, 1870 : 1

write to enlist your interest for an enterprise, of which the enclosed
paper will inform you. We are specially desirous to have for the
"Memorial Volume" something from yourself, and some of the
striking things that may be said of General Lee in the English pa-
pers and elsewhere, which you may be in the way of getting for us.

W. H. WHITSITT to J. A. B. :

BERLIN, Nov. 26, 1870 : I have had occasion to be very sorry
that you did not call on Doctor Dorner during your stay. I had

250 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

asked his permission beforehand to introduce you, which 1 did, you
remember, one afternoon in the university. But that did not seem
to have satisfied him ; he expected, I have no doubt, a visit from
you. . .

I have not enjoyed the weeks since you left nearly so well as that
of your stay here.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

DRESDEN, Nov, 28, 1870: I went, as half Dresden did, to the
court church (Catholic) where there was high mass, in thanks-
giving for the recent birth of a royal prince, grandson of the devout
old king. There was martial music added to the usual opera per-
formers, and salvos of artillery without, that fairly thundered. Tell
Sam I saw a king, and a queen, and a whole lot of duchesses and
countesses, and so on. Some of the court folks were splendidly
dressed, but the king and queen very plainly. I was passing the
palace the other day and saw the king and queen in separate car-
nages, each with four handsome horses and various attendants,
going to see the new-born prince. Yesterday I was just opposite,
and saw both plainly and fully.

MUNICH, Dec. 6, 1870: . . The weather is magnificently cold.
The snow cracks under one's feet in the old way it did when I was
a boy, and which I haven't heard this ten years. I should like
prodigiously to go rabbit hunting, and whoop and halloo through
the white fields. This afternoon I saw them hauling ice along the
street, and it looked beautiful. . .

Yesterday and to-day we have been at the gallery of sculpture
and the picture gallery. Last night we heard Mozart's " Magic
Flute," which contains a larger amount of exquisite music than I
ever before heard in one evening. We tried a concert Saturday
evening (eight cents), but the room was low pitched, and the smoke
very dense, and we couldn't fully enjoy Herr Gungel's choice mu-
sic. . .

And now to you, and each of the children, and all the family, and
to the Harrisons and Smiths, I beg to send my hearty Christmas
greeting. Never before, amid all the changes of my life, have I
been absent from my home at Christmas. . . And this time I expect
to be far away, at Rome. Across the continents, and across the
stormy winter sea, I send my greeting, to each and ail. The good
Lord graciously bless you. May you have health and contentment,
and good hope in God's providence and grace — so may you be happy.

A YEAR ABROAD 251

J. A. B. to MISS ANNIE H. BROADUS :

MUNICH, Dec. n, 1870: Twenty years ago your Grandpa Har-
rison had a beautiful edition (in German) of Goethe's " Remeke
Fiichs" with wonderful illustrations by Kaulbach. I think that by
lending out it got destroyed, like some of my books. In Dresden I
found it where I boarded, read most of it, and delighted in the pic-
tures. This new interest was due to my having seen in Berlin six
magnificent wall paintings (fresco) by Kaulbach, of which I made
at the time brief mention. They represent great events or epochs in
the history of the race, (i) The Confusion of Tongues at Babel.
(2) The Golden Age of Greece. (3) Destruction of Jerusalem. (4)
Battle of the Huns. (5) Crusades. (6) The Reformation. Numbers
three, four, and six are the best, and made a great impression on me,
as grand historical representations, vividly recalling facts and sym-
bolizing great truths. Well, here at Munich, Kaulbach is still living,
as Director (President) of the Academy of Art, and a young Ameri-
can student of painting proposed to carry us to his studio and introduce
us. He says the old gentleman is changeable, sometimes very
friendly and gracious, and at other times as huffy as possible. . .

Presently he came in, and we were introduced and greeted with a
smile. A man of medium size, with brown wig and grayish mous-
tache, and face not particularly noticeable, who might pass for fifty
and is sixty-five. We have seen some of his works and heard much
of him, and were anxious, etc. He was much pleased to see us —
always glad to see Americans, etc. I had admired his *' Reineke
Fucks" twenty years ago in America. Ah ! indeed, twenty years ago.
By the way, he had the day before received a communication from
America, but being in English he could not read it — perhaps we
would look at it. He opened it, and presented certificate of election
as honorary member of the American Academy of Science and Art,
at Boston. The young painter broke down in translating the tech-
nical terms, and I fortunately could cany it through. He was greatly
honored by such an election, etc. Young painter suggested that it
was rather an honor to the American society to have him as a mem-
ber. "Oh, no, much rather to me." And turning to me again,
*' Much more to me." , .

Yesterday morning (Monday) I called on Doctor Dollinger, a
celebrated Roman Catholic professor of church history here, and
during the present year world-famous for his opposition to the dogma
of papal infallibility. I had understood that he rather likes visits
from Protestants. I stayed half an hour, and by invitation, when I

252 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

left, went again at seven P. M. for a cup of tea and more conversa-
sation. He speaks English pretty well. I must give an account of
the visit to Doctor Williams, perhaps to the "Herald," if mamma
won't get desperate at the latter.

To-day I failed a second time to get into the palace, to see some
frescoes of the " Nibelungm-Lied" the great German poem of the
olden time. . . I saw colored portraits of Luther and Melancthon,
taken by L. Cranach, Jr., from life. Luther's picture is every-
where the same. Melancthon is here gray, wrinkled, and wasted,
but has a magnificent forehead, and that sweet expression which
suits his character, a scholar and a devout man, one who could love
and suffer, but couldn't fight. He and Luther were complements of
each other. . .

It is now 5.30 P. M. At ten we are to leave for Verona, in Italy,
expecting to travel on until i P. M. to-morrow. The day train is
much slower, and we can make no other arrangement so comforta-
ble. It is not very cold, indeed it has been warm to-day, and the
snow melting fast. My next letter then, must be from Italy.

VENICE, Dec. 17, 1870 : Now what in the world shall I say about
Venice? I am not disappointed, nor am I charmed. I have not been
feeling bright, and the weather has been dull and dreary, and the
Venice of to-day, is in fact, one great scene of faded splendors. . . The
gondolas are extremely plain black boats, very long, narrow, and
pointed, very skillfully rowed. It causes quite a thrill of novelty
at first to get aboard, but we human beings have such an unhappy
faculty of getting used to things.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Dec. 17, 1870: Your letter to Curry (about
Bishop Ellicott), to me, and last to Toy (Nov. 27), have all been
-eceived by us with pleasure and interest. Sorry to learn of your
backsets, but we hope the general average result will be gain. You
are often thought of, and mentioned not only in the family circle,
and at family prayer, but in our Seminary devotions. It seems to
come spontaneously often both to professors and to students to
think at such times of our dear absent brother ; and often, I doubt
not, if there is not a prayer meeting, there is a meeting of prayers ;
for I am sure your thoughts often fly back to old scenes and remem-
bered friends. Still more will this be the case when you get over to
Palestine and roam over the regions we have so often talked about
in the little awkward recitation rooms in Greenville, Blessed faculty,

A YEAR ABROAD 253

by which we can people the present with relics from the past, and
the future, and make visible scenes and faces fade before the bright-
ness of the absent.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

FLORENCE, Dec. 22, 1870 : An hour brought us to Padua again,

and some distance this side of P we saw a small village which

was the birthplace of Livy. I quite longed for some one to share
my enthusiasm. A young Italian lieutenant talked French to me
very affably, but my allusion to " U ceTebre auteur Romain ancun Ttte-
Lwe " left his face quite blank, even after I had carefully explained
who it was. Getting the officer to pronounce some Italian words for
me, I found that he was also beginning to learn English, and so
we had a great time over a newspaper, he teaching Italian and I
teaching English. We amused ourselves so successfully that at
Bologna at 3 o'clock, he said, " Ah ! small travel," meaning that he
had found the journey short. I guess much of my French and Ger-
man is about as successful as that. I am not trying to speak Italian
beyond the numerals as to prices, and a few needful words and
phrases, but I hope to pick up enough knowledge to read it. This
side of Bologna we were two or three hours crossing the Apennines,
with much magnificent scenery. Reached Florence at 7.45 P. M. . .
The streets were very bright and the air mild and sweet, like a
November evening at Greenville. We had already noticed before
sunset the deep blue of the Italian sky. After tea we walked to the
Arno, and stood on one of the massive stone bridges which cross it.
I was pleased to find it flowing rapidly. In fact, there are high
mountains on several sides of Florence, some of them very beau-
tiful. So we were greatly pleased with our first evening (Mon-
day). . .

Here too, is the " Venus de Medici." I have seen so many copies
of this that it was hardly a novel sensation to see it, and it is too
perfect to make a sensation at first sight. People usually express
disappointment at seeing it, as they do when first reading Sophocles
or Demosthenes, because there is nothing salient m the harmonious
completeness, the tranquil beauty. A thousand times I am wishing
you were with me, that we might talk together now about these
great works of art, and remember them together hereafter. . . I fear
that the thoughts which sometimes throng my mind in beholding
will for the most part never return.

Last summer Doctor Cutting insisted that I must seek the ac-
quaintance of Geo. P. Marsh, U. S. Minister here, and his wife. Mr.

254 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

M is the author of the famous " Lectures on the English Lan-
guage," and other valuable works. I went yesterday to his office.
He invited me to come to his house this morning, and as I inquired
foi the location of Casa Guidi, where Mrs. Browning lived, he very
kindly took me m his carriage to the place. It is across the river
from our hotel, about three hundred yards from us. Here were the
*' Casa Guidi windows," from which she saw the revolution of
1848, and in the vision of her poem saw many a scene of the glori-
ous old Florentine history. . .
This morning I went out of the city to Mr. Marsh's and saw him

and his wife, with a good deal of pleasant talk. . , Mrs. M gave

me information about several places where the ladies might board
here. They want to remain till my return from the East, and then
go to Paris (if open), to the Rhine and the Alps, and so home with
me. . .

J. B. TAYLOR to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Dec. 24, 1870 ; I write now especially to request
that while in Southern Europe you will make such inquiries as may
aid us in the evangelistic labors of our Board. . . What portions of
that field are most accessible? What are the facilities of preaching
a pure gospel in Rome?

It is very desirable that you see our missionary, who is now in
that city. Please find him (Rev. Wm. N. Cote) and confer with
him on the whole work in which he is engaged. You will be able
to make such suggestions as circumstances require. . .

J. L. M. CURRY to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Dec. 28, 1870 : . . Your book has received more
favorable commendations from the religious journals than any book
of the kind ever did in America. I have seen notices in Methodist,
Presbyterian, and Congregational journals. . .

L 7s last letter—the girls write charming letters— gave us the

cheering news of your increased weight and restored health. Thank
God for the blessing ! I hope they will be able to keep you from

study. I think Mr. T gave them permission to accompany you

to Palestine. If so, what a jolly time you will have on camels and
donkeys. A trip to the Holy Land ought to make an infidel a be-
jever in Jesus ! The work, just published, of the Palestine Explora-
tion Association states, as a wonderful fact, that all the party are ac-
cumulating verification of the Scriptures. I wish you could read the
book before you reach the land.

A YEAR ABROAD 255

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ROME, Dec. 31, 1870 : . . Going out after breakfast I found that
the king, who arrived at four o'clock this morning, was riding about
the streets, and all was hubbub to see him. . . This was no formal
entry. He came merely to inquire into the sufferings and losses
caused by the flood. This was good-natured, and also capital policy,
as the pope could hardly take this occasion for repeating the excom-
munication and closing the churches, and yet now Victor Emmanuel
has entered Rome. He left to-night, having to make a New Year's
reception of the Diplomatic Corps to-morrow at Florence. . .

This morning I went with Doctor Cote to the house of an English
Baptist minister, Mr. Wall, where in the front room, second story,
we had, at eleven o'clock, a religious meeting. It reminded me very
vividly of Paul, " in his own hired house," receiving them that came,
and speaking to them. The flood broke up their meetings, as it did
almost everything else, and so this morning both missionaries and
their two colporters were together, about fifteen in all. I perceived
that Mr. Wall, in his address, alluded several times to Paul, " in
this very city." Afterward Doctor Cote and an Italian colporter
spoke a little. Then a man, who turned out to be a stranger, spoke.
He said (as they told me afterward) that he some time ago got a
Bible from one of the colporters, had been reading it, found there
that he had been taught many errors, and would like to read a paper
he had written, showing the errors of the papal religion. . .

I saw, with much regret at having so little time, some of the
numerous Greek and Latin inscriptions from all Southern Italy.
Even the little I could examine gave me some useful points as to my
New Testament Greek. By the way, a gentleman (American), dili-
gent in study of Italian, tells me that in Southeastern Italy, indeed in
all Southern Italy, the popular dialect partakes largely of the peculi-
arities of Greek. . . I wonder if this can possibly descend all the
way from the early Greek settlements in Southern Italy, of which
your friend Grote gives so full an account ? . .

I had much pleasant talk with Mr. Ticknor, of Boston, son of the
famous publisher, from whom I got ideas about modern languages,
and information about Egypt, where he spent last winter. . .

ROME, Jan. 28, 1871 : B. O. Duncan and his wife were extremely
kind at Naples. I have no doubt he makes an excellent con-
sul. Admiral Glisson, there with his flagship, treated us with
marked courtesy, as did W. W. Story at his studio here to-day.
We saw Pompeii two days, and the museum many times. Dun*

256 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

can went with us to Pozzuoli (Puteoli) and Baiae, a delightful ex-
cursion,

Last evening and this morning eight converts, men, mostly young
men, were baptized by Doctor Cote and Mr. Wall (English Baptist),
and this morning, these, with the two missionaries and their wives,
and two other Italians previously baptized, were constituted a church,
"the Apostolical Church" of Rome. Doctor Randolph1 and I ad-
dressed them (through Mr, Wall) and gave them the right hand of
fellowship, and we observed together the Lord's Supper. I must
write to J. B. Taylor, by request, stating my impression as to the
work and the workers here. This afternoon I heard Gavazzi preach
in English, in the Scotch Free Church. Afterwards saw Prince
Humbert and his wife. The latter has a bright face, and a caress-
ing bow to the crowd that is quite charming. It is long since a
Roman sovereign or ruling house presented them a lady for their ad-
miration, and the Romans are wild.

J. A. B. to DR. JAS. P, BOYCE :

ROME, Jan. 28, 1871 : I walked up the cone of Vesuvius, with
snow six inches deep at starting, and a foot deep nearer the top.
Many stout young men pull up by a mountaineer's strap, but I went
by choice, unaided. I was three and a half hours on my feet m the
snow, besides riding horseback five miles up the mountain, and then
back again. Next day I was stiff, but walked twice to church. . .
Fortunately, providentially, I met here, some days ago, Warren
Randolph, D. D., of Philadelphia, traveling for his health, and
thinking of going to the East, but with no definite plans. I had
met him twice in America, and liked him, a thorough gentleman and
a fine fellow. In brief, we are going together. I think we shall get
along pleasantly, and our compact is loose enough to let either of us
make other arrangements, if we find it necessary to our plans. Mrs
Randolph stays near Naples with some American friends . . We
spent ten days in Naples, and have been back here more than two
weeks, making a month at Rome in all. Notwithstanding much
ram, it has been to me a month of immense enjoyment, and I hope
of some benefit. . . My ladies go back with me to Florence, two
days hence. Mrs. Marsh mentioned two places, and would look
for others, suitable for the ladies to stay, and improve their French
till my return from the East. If Paris becomes accessible, we have

1 Dr. Warren Randolph, of America, who became Doctor Broadus's companion m
Oriental travel.

A YEAR ABROAD 257

arranged with a family from St. Louis to take them from Florence
to Paris, about first of April, and they will wait for me there.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

FLORENCE, Feb. 3, 1871 : . . You must conceive of me hence-
forth in light-colored pants and drab hat, with low crown and broad
brim, and with all my beard growing. I expect to spend a day in
Alexandria, two weeks at Cairo and Pyramids, and then to go by
the Suez Canal to Jaffa and Jerusalem. . .

I want m the East to keep something of a regular diary, which
may be of use in my lectures and to my colleagues in some of theirs.
So I shall not be able to write letters of description, even such meagre
ones as I have been writing. The mail is but once a week, and
pretty irregular. Bear this in mind and don't be uneasy if you some-
times get no letter for two weeks, or even three. Expect me to write
eveiy week, some account of my movements, and always the exact
facts about my health when there is anything noteworthy. . .

There, I must go to bed. I took a notion to write to Uncle Albert
from Rome m Latin — hope it will amuse him. My love to each and
all. I am going farther away, and feel it deeply. But let us still
trust and be thankful, and try to be prudent, and accept what Is
appointed us. God bless all I love and my far-off country.

BRINDISI,Feb.6, 1871: . . Last evening was beautiful : the moon
full, the sky clear, and just breeze enough to be pleasant. I walked
on deck after tea, and sang hymns, and thought of home and the
better world, and felt happy. . . Indeed, once I felt so lively that I
skipped about the deck. To-day also I am feeling much better than
for a week or two past. We reached Brmdisi ahead of time, soon
after eleven A. M., which was astonishing for Italy, but explained
by the fact that we have English engineers, as well as an English-
built steamer. . .

I asked a boy if he could show me the Casa di Virgilio. Virgil
died here (though he was taken to Naples for burial) and they pre-
tend of course to have the house he occupied. . . Octavius came
once from Rome to Brindisi to have an interview with Antony.
Maecenas came with him, and was accompanied by Horace, who
gives a humorous and very famous description of it in " Satires," I.
8. I think, though, that he says nothing about B itself.

It was several hours before I could find Doctor Randolph. . . But
at last he found me, and we are all right— sitting now together in the
cabm, each writing to his wife, as I hope we shall be spared to do

R

258 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

many times on two sides of the same table. There are very few
passengers, and we have the pick of everything. So I feel pleased
and hopeful.

ARRIVAL AT ALEXANDRIA, DIARY, Feb. ro: We left the steamer
at eight, svith a commi^wnave of the Hotel Abbot. It was charm-
ing to sit on the boat, and pass among the ships of many lands that
crowd the harbor, and the boats moving swiftly and slovv ly in every
direction— the bright Oriental dresses, the flags flying, the brilliant
sunshine, the steady dip of the oars, and the easy, floating motion—
I was grieved when we got to land. In the afternoon we went to
see Cleopatra's Needles. . . Quite near the obelisks is the station of
the Alexandria and Ramie Railway— the fifteenth century B. C. and
the nineteenth A. D., standing side by side. Very large hieroglyphics,
and some distance above the base, quite distinct.

Dr. Warren Randolph tells the following :

It was at Alexandria. The post office was open for the delivery of
letters only at given hours and then only for a little while at a time.
All non- Arabic mail was given out at " The Frank Window" so called.
A crowd being about it as soon as it was opened, it did not seem nec-
essary for us both to press our way in, so he [Dr. Broadus] went and
got our mail. As he came out and handed me a letter from my wife,
the handwriting upon which I recognized, though he did not, I said,
" Ah, that is from the person who sustains to me the most endear-
ing relation in life !" His look was one of blank astonishment, 1
may say, it was a look of almost indescribable despair. After wait-
ing as long as I thought it safe, I explained. " Some years before,
while a student, I had heard, at an Association, an address on Sun-
day-school libraries, in which the speaker maintained that books for
ruch purposes should be carefully read before being accepted, and
* in my school,' he added, * this service is usually rendered by myself
and the person who sustains to me the most endearing relation in
life.' That gem of affectionate rhetoric I had never forgotten and
the time had come to use it. Egypt seemed a most fitting place."
And the look of relief which came over my friend's face as I ex-
plained was a study. It was as maiked as his previous look of
despair. " Well, I'm glad to hear thai," he exclaimed, " for I said
to myself, Is that the kind of a man I am to travel with?" And
from that day on, the phrase was never forgotten. Upon occasion
he often began the quotation while we were together, and again and
again in after years as we met, when he wanted to inquire for my

A YEAR ABROAD 259

wife, he would ask, " And how is the person who sustains," etc.
His love of humor was as genuine as any part of his nature.

DIARY, Feb. 10 : The goats about the city all have long, pendent
ears like a hound. Saw one with its ears trimmed to the usual size.
Wonder if it was a European who did it— good illustration as to
many things, especially as to oratory. . .

Feb, 12 : At five o'clock we walked to Jews' Quarter of ancient
Alexandria. The Ramie Railway cuts right through it, and we saw
a train come dashing through the midst of the mounds where Philo
dreamed and Apollos grew mighty in the Scriptures; where the
Septuagint was translated, and all the Greek- Jewish philosophy was
written. I thought a good deal about the Jews of Alexandria, and
then about Origen, Athanasius, etc., though they did not live in
this quarter.

CAIRO, DIARY, Feb. 14, 15, 19: Often amused with living pano-
rama before our windows. The Orientals passing in procession
before our eyes, at any hour of the day, with their variety of bright
costumes, people of every rank and every calling and age, and
both sexes. Can't certainly tell woman, except when she is veiled.
Some old ladies think their faces a sufficient protection against star-
ing eyes, and need no veil. Officials whack the common people to
make them clear the way, stand back, etc. . .

Fine day. Went a little while to the Coptic church, much larger
and grander than the old one in old Cairo. Mass, intoning priests
and boys. Pictures of the Virgin and Child, and God the Father,
and numerous figures of a dove cut in the wood The intoning
shrill and harsh. Women above in latticed galleries. Men stood on
matting, next the altar ; many, but not all, took off shoes. At one
point, they knelt and touched forehead to the floor, some of them
three times, after crossing themselves.

Feb. 19 : Sermon by a Scotch minister at the American Mission-
United Presbyterian, Doctor Lansing and several others — chiefly
among the Copts, and having very gratifying success. Learn that
when Mrs. Lansing first visits women, and wishes to read Scripture
to them, they frequently say no use, they are women, don't know
anything, can't understand, nothing but donkeys ; but when she
persists, telling them they only need education, and she will explain,
and presently gets them interested in some passages of Scripture,
they frequently become very eager for her to come again ; minds
waked up for the first time.

2<5o LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

J. A. B. to MISS E. S. B. :

CAIRO, Feb. 22, 1871 : We went on Saturday (in a carriage four
miles) to Heliopolis, the On of Genesis. It was the religious capi-
tal, and the university town. Its priest-prince was probably the
highest in rank of all Egyptain subjects, and Pharaoh honored
Joseph by giving him to wife Asenath, the daughter of this func-
tionary. I showed a young lady (from Ohio) the place (?) where
she lived before she mounted a camel and went up to Memphis to
be Joseph's wife. A solitary obelisk is standing, in its* original
place, the oldest in the world. I doubt if Asenath saw it that morn-
ing, but she had often seen it in her childhood, and her fathers for
many generations. . . Herodotus mentions this obelisk, and Plato
was a student there for years. The site of the little town (in which
few besides priests lived) can be determined, and the circuit of
the walls. But the Arab drives his rude plowshare where the
temple of the Sun used to stand, and looks up in idle wonder at the
Fianks who keep trooping to see nothing. Walking on the mounds
where the town stood, one gets a wide and beautiful view, including
Cairo and the great pyramids, which were already many hundreds
of years old when Joseph used to walk there. There came a sharp
little shower while we were looking at the mounds, and it was almost
cold. Not true that they have no ram here, but it is rare. A beau-
tiful rainbow was seen while we were retaining, but our backs were
towards it and we didn't see. That is said to be a very rare sight
here. . .

Monday, the Pyramids, and a beautiful day. Only seven miles
to the greatest, and a fine cariiage road made by the viceroy for the
Empress Eugenie, fall before last, with a bridge of boats over the
Nile, made for a ball. The Pyramids— I clapped my hands and
laughed and sang, and wished for my dear ones, and felt myself to
see if it was I. Can't allow myself to describe. Whew ! how it
tired one to go up— stones two and three feet high. View from the
summit wonderful ; valley of the Nile, broad river, winding— near
us, sand and green so that one could stand with one foot on the
desert and the other in rich clover— far off eastward, beyond the river,
the limestone hills from which the stone for the pyramids was
brought, and Cairo— and westward the Libyan hills, and beyond
them three thousand miles of sand. Coming down was frightfully
fatiguing ; not at all dangerous, just hard work. When I got to

the ground I couldn't walk, my knees felt so weak. Doctor R

was less used up, but the Arabs toted us both on their shoulders,

A YEAR ABROAD 26 1

along one side of the pyramid, being two hundred and fifty yards.
Then we went inside, which is most fatiguing of all, stooping and
crawling, slipping down a slope, and climbing up where the rock is
broken.

DIARY, Feb. 25 : By 7.30 o'clock we reached Jaffa. Many boats
put out to meet us, over twenty of them, black looking, and men
rowing eagerly, and striking from different directions towards the ship
—it suggested the boats of savages, coming to attack a ship be-
calmed. As they got near, and before the steamer fairly stopped,
they began screaming to us, and beckoning, and running against
other boats— the grandest specimen of Oriental uproar I can well
conceive. We got into a large boat, reaching it with difficulty. The
sea unsually calm, and slight wind blowing off shore— yet even then
the landing looked perilous — no harbor — reef of rocks a little way
from shore (famous as the rocks of Andromeda, Stanley, Ch. VI.,
Note A), with two narrow passages, one being about ten feet wide.
For two previous weeks the steamers had been quite unable to land
their passengers, and had to take them on to Beyrout. Will there
ever be a harbor made here? Or will there be a railway from Port
Said to Jerusalem, or from Beyrout?

Doctor Broadus afterward wrote of an incident on the
way to Jerusalem :

Oriental usages will die hard, and as long as they last, they
will startle and thrill the traveler. One morning on the plain of
Sharon we saw a shepherd ahead of us, leading his flock of mingled
white sheep and black goats out to pasture. Presently he turned
into a little bit of sepaiate valley among slight hills, and, as the
flock followed, he stopped and stood facing them. The goats aie
rude, and apt to push the sheep away from the best grass, so that
they need to be separated. So, as they came up, he would with his
rod tap a sheep on one side of its head, and it went *ff to his
right ; tap a goat on the other side of its head, and it went off to his
left. We sat on our horses, and gazed in silence.1

DIARY, Feb 28 : " My feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jeru-
salem." Thank God, that the hopeless dream of many a year has
become a reality. I am at Jerusalem.

1 " Convention Teacher," April, 1891. In the last years Doctor Broadus wrote fre •
quently for this " Teacher "

262 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

DIARY, Mar. 3 : Returning, in street of David stumbled upon a
marriage procession, headed by noisy and discordant music. Girls
covered with white, two of them leading the bride, going to bride-
groom's house. At several houses, friends came out and offered
some cheap drmk, bright colored. Reaching bridegroom's, they en-
tered small inner court, and painstakingly ascended narrow stone
steps— bride's handsome dress (under the white covering) could be
held high by her attendants, as she wore the Turkish trousers,
very large and showy. We were allowed to go up and look into
upper room. Bridegroom, a boy of fifteen or sixteen (said to be from
London), looked very sheepish, much bored, as he sat by the bride
—she and her attendants had all removed their white coverings.
The room was full, the musicians made the biggest noise they
could, and a girl came into a small space opened in the middle, and
danced before the happy pair. . ,

The diary is full of most interesting observations by
Doctor Broadus, whose mind was rich in biblical lore,
but these must nearly all be passed by. March 7-11 he
and Doctor Randolph made an excursion to Hebron,
Bethlehem, Mar Saba, the Dead Sea,' the Jordan, and Jeri-
cho. We must let Doctor Broadus tell of the sunrise at
Jerusalem as they started.

DIARY, Mar. 7 : It had been raining several days, and we were
uneasy for our trip., which must of necessity be arranged beforehand,
and could be postponed only with great difficulty.

This morning very clear, and we looked with joy from high upper
window to the line of Olivet, beyond that to the mountains of Moab,
distinct but dark. Presently a single ray of golden light touches
the highest point of Moab (that ought to be Pisgah), and seems to
run along the waving line of the mountain summits away towards
the southern part of the Deal Sea, while Olivet grows clearer in the
foreground. Soon, looking just to the right of the church of the
Ascension, on the summit of Olivet, we see a bright speck behind
Moab, enlarging, then the bright line towards the South becomes a
broad band, a gilded phylactery on the frowning brow of the
mountain, while a single dark cloud just south of the rising sun
looks like a great mountain on fire. Now the bright light comes out
over all the rounded summits of Olivet and m a moment half of the
sun is visible above Moab, and flinging across to us such a brilliant,

A YEAR ABROAD 263

dazzling glory as to swallow up the whole scene, and make us turn
our blinded eyes away.

Doctor Randolph tells the following story of this jaunt :

Not a single mishap, I think, befell him while we were in the
Holy Land, and but one came to me. Our journeymgs were en-'
tirely on horseback. The roads were merely bridle paths. As a
rule they were unfit for anything but a walk. Four miles an hour
was the average rate of travel. I can scarcely remember more than
one stretch of a mile where a smooth path invited to a canter. That
was between Hebron and Bethlehem. There we tried the speed of
our iron grays. But it had rained that morning, and the road was
slippery. My horse slipped and fell and I fell with him, but fortu-
nately he did not fall on me. I was badly stunned and for a few
moments dazed. However, by the aid of my friend and our drago-
man, I soon remounted, and we went along. But there was no
more galloping that day.

Doctor Randolph likewise says of the visit to Mar
Saba:

The convent belongs to the Greek Church and admission to it
can only be obtained through the Greek patriarch at Jerusalem.
Provided with this permit, we reached the rocky fastness a little
before nightfall, drenched by the hardest rain to which we were ex-
posed in Palestine. The heavy door of the convent was closed as
usual. From a loophole in the wall, some distance above the door,
a basket was lowered, into which our permit was put. It was then
drawn up and examined, and being found correct a monk came down
and admitted us. No sooner were we within, than the door was
again closed and fastened, and as the heavy bolt creaked on being
shoved back to its place, Doctor Broadus in an undertone said to
me, " Now we are in the Middle Ages," a thought which was addi-
tionally impressed as in the night we heard the convent bell calling
the monks to prayer.

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., March 10, 1871 : And now let me say per-
emptorily, " You must not hurry home." I have consulted the faculty
and they are unanimously of the opinion that you must stay as late
as possible, at least late enough to allow a trip to the Rhine and

264 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Switzerland. Don't be troubled about the money. I shall be able
to keep that all straight.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :
JERUSALEM, March 19, 1871 : Everything conspires to make me

satisfied \vith the plan I devised as to travel here, and Doctor R

frequently expresses himself strongly on the subject. We stay long
at Jerusalem, returning again and again, visiting the principal places
many times, and reading over the Scripture events and discourses on

the spot. (Doctor R reads aloud, and we discuss and comment.)

We want in some way to stay longer by the Sea of Galilee than
most travelers do. And finally we return here for Easter, when the
Orient gathers here its many thousands. The ladies who came up
from Jaffa with us, and who intended to go across to Damascus, ten
days' continuous riding, have given it up, and went back to Jaffa
yesterday. No ladies ought to come here unless used to horseback
riding, and not easy to take cold, and no persons of either sex ought
to visit Palestine unless they either know much about it beforehand,
or stay a good while at every important place. The first time or two
they see one of these famous places, people are usually disappointed,
astonished, disgusted, and often sorry they ever came. The wretched
hovels in which most of the people live, the narrow, filthy, and dis-
gusting streets which are universal — even the best streets in Jerusa-
lem being not more than twelve or fourteen feet wide, and filthy be-
yond endurable description — and the bare and desolate hills on every
side, fill their minds with painful emotions. . . If they would stay
longer and study the excellent books accessible, and see places many
times, and learn to distinguish what can be really ascertained, and
by an effort of imagination sweep away these disagreeable actuali-
ties and reproduce what once was here, and then, resting from topo-
graphical discussion, would go over the Scripture narratives and dis-
courses, they would find an exquisite delight, which might well
make them clap their hands with joy.

DIARY, March 20 : Our dragoman traveled a month last spring
with Kiepert, the great map-maker, beyond Jordan, and said they
went to Wady Zurka. I was delighted that Kiepert should have
visited the site of Machaeius, as nobody has shared my enthusiasm
about it enough to join me in the risky and costly trip to see it. . .

A tour to Galilee was made March 2i-April 4, the
party returning to Jerusalem for Easter* Doctor Broadus

A YEAR ABROAD 265

fairly reveled in the sights at Bethel, Nablous, the val-
ley of Esdraelon, Nazareth, the Jordan, Tiberias, Caper-
naum, the Sea of Galilee, and all the rest.

DIARY, March 21 : When we reached Tiberias, the trifling mule-
teers had pitched in the first place they reached, a bit of plowed
ground. . . We put on our waterproofs and watched the lake. The
cloud now black in the South — thunder more frequent, and its fainter
sound rolling off mingled with the echoes from the hills behind— keen,
fierce lines of lightning, strangely vivid in this wonderful atmos-
phere. Surface of lake ruffled, and raindrops falling heavily so as
to make the water leap up. . . Dragomen and servants, with some
Arabs from the town, are rushing about screaming Arabic at each
other, amid the roar of wind and thunder trying to get the tent set
up. Yonder around the town (we are just south of it) comes one of
the few boats of this lake which once swarmed with them, coming
back with a party of travelers who arrived yesterday, and whose
tents are between us and the springs. , . The sail is set, the rowers
are busy, they are hurrying to get the ladies ashore. There is no
wharf, the bank slopes too gently, the boat grounds and the boat-
men hurriedly tote the ladies ashore, who scamper towards their
tents. We are safe, quiet, and happy, . . and delighted to see a
storm gathering on the Sea of Galilee. Presently I look across— all
the southern part of the lake is now clouded, with rain already heavy
at the south end— but opposite I see the summits of the moun-
tain range standing out very clear, indeed bright in the evening
sun, which shines over the clouds upon them, and Oh, look, look
at Hermon ! Oh, look, look ! Oh, look, friend, at Hermon ! . . All
words fail to tell how brilliant, how gloriously radiant. I gazed and
gazed in a very agony of delight. And so, I was thinking, so some-
times with the dying, when all around is growing dark, they turn
their eyes in a new direction and sudden, bright, transporting, rises
the vision of another world, splendid with unearthly glories, blessed,
rapturous, overwhelming. I could not see the wonderful mountain
now, for the tears that came. But the rain increased, and the tent
invited. . . New and loud bursts of thunder, and as I look forth,
the water of the lake is leaping high from something more than rain-
drops ; on the tombstones here just before'me large hail-stones are re-
bounding. The tent, too hastily erected, shakes and leaks, and 1
arrange our beds so as to protect them, then sit down near the tent-
door to gaze. White-caps now on the lake, and surf beating on the
shore. , . Thunder very loud and abrupt, lightnings forked and

266 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

many-colored. . . The northern part of the lake now obscured, the
vision of Hermon gone. As the hail subsides, there passes between
rne and the shore a great flock of black goats and some sheep, hur-
rying from the fields to shelter, but too late— the shepherd calls, the
shepherd dogs bark loudly, urging the stragglers along. The storm

rolls off north and northeast. Doctor R has stayed out through

it all. We rejoice much at having seen it, having got here just in
time.

Monday, March 27 : We had engaged the boat Saturday evening,
and though some danger of ram determined to go. . . Our drago-
man afraid of the water, and got a substitute from Tiberias, an old
Arab, formerly a distinguished dragoman, but utterly ruined by
drink, which has thickened his speech and fuddled his brain, and
driven his wife and child to leave him. It seemed sad to meet such
a case here. Mohammed's prohibition law does not appear to be
very efficacious.

We wanted to visit place where supposed that five thousand were
fed, and then work around by mouth of Jordan to Tel Hum. Men
unwilling to go across; would not be time, no travelers ever go
there, etc. We insisted, and they went, but very slowly, taking
three and three-quarter hours, till half past eleven o'clock. At eleven,
one of them called my attention to appearance of wind rising in
West, by Mejdel, and it was "mushtayib," bad, bad. When we
landed, the waves were beginning to swell, and the wind freshening.
We were at the south end of the plain of Bateiha, which extends
southeast from the upper mouth of the river. This plain would
naturally pertain to Bethsaida Julias. . . Into the plain itself came
three main wadys, the middle one being the largest, and running
away back into the mountain range. Our Lord may have gone up
this middle wady to find a " desert place " for rest. . . Close to
where we landed, is a singular creek, or inlet, with a narrow and
shallow entrance, but deeper within. . . This creek makes a capital
harbor for boats, and our boat at once upon our landing put in there,
and was quiet through all the storm which followed. . . The disci-
ples knew there was danger of sudden storms at this season (much
better than we did), and they expected to leave their boat for some
time. Is it not natural to suppose they would have made for this
little inlet, and left their boat there? Up the hill (a half or three-
quarters of a mile from the shore), on southern side of it, towards
the wady, and thus near the edge of the territory which would
naturally belong to Bethsaida Julias, we observed a slope towards

A YEAR ABROAD 267

the southwest, quite large, sloping gently, full of herbage, on which
the afternoon sun would shine pleasantly. . . (The five thousand
were fed shortly before the Passover, and we are here at just the
same season). This might well enough have been the very place —
though there are many other places suitable, if not so strikingly.
We should have been glad to observe more widely and carefully,
but plain to north of us contained thirty or forty Bedouin tents, and
our guard was the old interpreter and one boatman, instead of sev-
eral that had been promised us. Besides we felt uneasy about the
rising wind.

Regaining the boat at twelve o'clock or so, found wind high,
waves breaking white all over the sea and in abundant surf on the
gently sloping shore. . . "The wind was contrary" to our return
across the lake. Fortunately it was midday rather than midnight,
and we were still on shore. The boatmen composedly laid down
and went to sleep, and we quietly ate our lunch. Then we read
more of the Galilean ministry. Gathered many minute shells, and
a good many flowers. Fine sunny afternoon, but wind still sharp,
and quite unsafe to cross. So we waited many hours.

The ruder boats of the olden time were probably built much like
this. At each end of this boat is a platform, near the top, extending
some four feet towards the middle, and forming thus a bit of deck.
On the hinder one we sat upon a piece of carpet, and on the other
the owner coiled himself to sleep. In a larger boat there might well
be here behind a cushion, good for passengers to sit on, and con-
venient for one person to sleep. Accordingly we find our Lord (in
the first stormy voyage described) in the hinder part of the boat,
asleep on a cushion. He cannot have been in the bottom of the boat,
for it was filling with water and threatening to sink while he slept on.

Farther east to-day than ever before, or expect to be again, unless
we go to Damascus.

At five o'clock, wind a good deal slackened, and we set out. . .
Waves still quite high, and we had no work to do, and ample
leisure to be uneasy. The prospect was alarming. A striking illus-
tration of Scripture, and so far very gratifying. . . Boat savagely
tossed at times, but shipped no water (though barely escaped), and no
notion of capsizing. Presently they set the sail, and we worked north-
west. . . We beat up into the mouth of the Jordan (thus having,
notwithstanding the storm, some opportunity to see it), and waited
awhile for the wind to sink more. Near dark we put out, keeping
within a few hundred yards of the western shore, and relying on
oars. , . Slowly we got on, passing Tel Hum, etc. Moon in first

268 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

quarter, stars here and there, lake shore very pleasing. Uneasiness
diminishing, I sunk down, quite overcome with fatigue and the day's
excitements, and slept an hour or two in a certain fitful fashion. . .
Landed at half past ten, and felt heartily thankful. Gave the men
liberal bakshish, and they probably wished for many storms with
Frangi.

The diary has a graphic description of the frauds and
impositions about the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the
Greek footwashing, and the ceremony of the Holy Fire
on April 6 and 8. About all the mockery DoctorBroadus
says :

No devoutness, no seriousness— frolic for the crowd, ridiculous to
the persons officiating It is ceremony run in the ground, utterly de-
feating its own object. I have never in my life beheld a spectacle
so humiliating. This is Oriental Christianity.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

BEYROUT, Apnl 13, 1871 : We had had a pleasant ride to Bethle-
hem that morning, and when at 6 o'clock I got so many letters, I
was quite happy, especially as they all contained good news rather
than otherwise. The next day, Tuesday, we left Jerusalem at 6
o'clock, and soon had our last look at the " Holy City." The ride
was pleasant. Palestine looks its prettiest at just this season. Even
the rockiest mountainsides have many wild flowers among the
rocks, and the valleys and plains, where not cultivated, are com-
pletely covered with the little flowers, most bright and rich in their
colors, and often very sweet in their perfume. Throughout our
journey north, the wild flowers were our constant delight. Some
great mountain might look very bleak in the distance, with its vast
ledges of rock, but when we came to climb it, away up even to the
top, the flowers, thick as in garden beds, would nod all around us
their bright welcome, and fill the air with their delicious breath as
we walked, . . The white almond blossoms have now passed away,
and the trees are full of young almonds, which the people eat largely
in their green state, shell and all, and which some say are sweet and
wholesome. . . We spent the night at Ramleh, as before, and I
thought the great olive groves, with tall wheat between the trees,
more beautiful than ever. Yesterday morning we started again at
6 o'clock and came to Jaffa.

A YEAR ABROAD 269

J. A. B. to MR. S. S. BROADUS :

BEYROUT, April 13, 1871 : The French steamer did not arrive as
expected, but fortunately we found a freight steamer from Glasgow,
which does business in these waters, and had come to Jaffa to take
pilgrims, returning from Jerusalem, to their homes, along the coast.
... All the lower deck was full of pilgrims, Some of these are
wealthy people ; they put on mean clothing and rough it. . We
had several persons on board who were traveling around the
world, . . I was faintly trying to wash my face, at half past six
o'clock, when I heard some one above say, " We are just passing
Sidon." . .

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

BEYROUT, April 14, 1871 : . . If I can get pleasantly situated at
Athens I mean to stay there at least three weeks. I am tired of so
much going. If nothing happens, we shall reach Athens about 24th

or 25th. Doctor R will not stay there more than one week. I

told him how you envied his wife about correspondence, and he
dolefully said that my last letter from you was of later date than his

last from Mrs. R , which was true, the English mail being very

prompt, and the Italian very uncertain.

Beyrout is now the great port of Syria, with sixty thousand people,
and growing rapidly. I have taken a great fancy to the place,
probably because I was so sea-sick when I arrived here. No doubt
I shall, if nothing happens, have a similar preparation in June for
taking a great fancy for Locust Grove.

SMYRNA, April 22, 1871 : . . The weather was delightful, and
the boat comfortable. We had for three days a number of American
missionaries (Congregationalist), stationed in different parts of Syria
and Asia Minor, nine in all, including four ladies, and I was ex-
ceedingly pleased with their society. . . Then we coasted all along
Syria and the southern coast of Asia Minor, almost everywhere in
full view. We stopped four, six, eight hours at several points, and
could go ashore. Thus at Alexandretta (Scanderoon), near the N.
E. angle of the Mediterranean, we spent several hours of Sunday
on shore, holding a prayer meeting in a Greek church. We were
there in full view of the plain of Issus, where Alexander first fought
Darius, and the town was named in his honor. Next day we stopped
at Messena, within four hours of Tarsus, and though there was not
quite time to go there we were for many hours in view of Paul's coun-
try, including the glorious snow-clad summits of Taurus. Then we

270 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

stopped at Rhodes and went ashore, with time enough to see the
harbor, speculate about the Colossus, and run about the town.
Afterwards we were passing the famous islands, Cos, Samos,
Chios (Scio), etc. Patmos at night, couldn't see it We reached
Smyrna early yesterday morning, and to my great delight were
able to make an excursion by rail, fifty miles, to see the ruins of
Ephesus. I have been surpused to find Smyrna so beautiful — the
harbor almost equals the bay of Naples, and the town not only
looks beautiful at a distance (as many Oriental towns do), but
compared with what we have long been seeing, it looks beauti-
ful within.

DIARY, April 24 : Rose early but not early enough to see ruins
and temple of Minerva on Sunium — a gentleman (who slept on
deck ) said it appeared to great advantage in the morning light. We
were in the gulf of Athens — on our right, Hymettus ; on left, yEgina,
and the little island on which Demosthenes died— farther left, moun-
tains of the Morea, running in till nearly in front were the snow-
capped mountains near Corinth. The bay is broad and very
beautiful,— the morning was surpassingly fine,— indeed the weather
for a week past, ever since we turned the N. E. corner of the Medi-
terranean, has been perfectly delightful. By degrees, on our right,
Parnes becomes visible— presently we can see the Acropolis. . .
Now we can see Pentelicus, between Hymettus and Parnes, and east,
the Lycabettus. Yonder, in front, is the isle of Salamis. I see a
youngish lady (of Cook's party, I think) talking to a young man
in the most animated manner, her face radiant with enthusiasm and
delight, and with animated gesticulation, perhaps one of those
splendid scholars in Greek, like Mrs. Browning or Marian Evans,
and full of enthusiasm here and now. " Dear little Charlie waked
at half past four, and he was so lively I could not sleep any more
—the dear, sweet little fellow." Yes, yes, that is right, that is
beautiful— what are all these associations compared with a mother's
love of finding delight in its very sacrifices? So, my amusement
changed to a certain admiration.

Certainly Xerxes did give the Greeks every possible advantage in
the naval battle yonder between Salamis and the mainland. In that
narrow strait a few of their best ships, more easily maneuvered than
his grand galleys, could hold the entire line, and if one of his broke
the line it would be surrounded by the mass of Athenian vessels,
gathered in safety behind. Self-conceit made him mad, almost a
simpleton.

A YEAR ABROAD 2/1

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ATHENS, April 29, 1871 : Doctor Randolph left, night before last,
for Messina and Naples. Said he was very sorry to leave Athens so

soon, but Mrs. R is in Naples, and he hasn't seen her for almost

three months, a separation far longer than ever before. I found him
throughout a pleasant traveling companion, and I felt very blue
when he was gone and 1 found myself alone in a strange land.

There is a Baptist missionary here, a native Greek with a New
England wife, and they are very fnendly. . .

Mr. Duncan gave me a letter to the American minister here, Mr.
Tuckerman, and he has been quite civil. Spending the evening

with him, and somebody mentioning Sophocles, I asked Mrs. T

if there were nightingales here, and referred to the opening of OEdi-
pus Coloneus, where the blind old man and his daughter came to
Colonos, a mile or two from Athens, and heard the nightingales sing-
ing in the grove. She said they were abundant, and a few minutes
after she threw open the casement and called me. The Royal Gar-
dens are opposite, it was ten o'clock, and the night singers were just
beginning their responsive notes in the dense grove across the
street. I listened long, and stopped many times on my way home
to listen again. That passage of the QEdipus took very fast hold
of me years ago, and to hear the nightingale for the first time here
and then, was quite a delightful bit of experience. Last night, in
my new quarters, they sang me to sleep with notes a good deal re-
sembling the mocking birds we hear in the oak trees opposite our
home— excepting the nightingale's delicious semitone trill.

Athens is a very pretty modern city, near fifty thousand inhabit-
ants, and growing. King Otho and his engineers gave it quite a
German look, the houses closely resembling his native Munich.
The Greek costume is comparatively rare on the streets, and thus
the more picturesque. Everywhere one hears French, English,
Italian, German, as well as Greek, and the whole aspect of the
place is European. Nor does this seem out of harmony with the
glorious ruins on the Acropolis. Beyond all the nations or races,
the spirit of the old Greek was a spirit of change and progress. In
an Oriental city with the stationaiy Oriental civilization, European
languages, dress, life, seem out of place. But here it seems perfectly
appropriate that everything new should find a place, and the ruined
Parthenon looks down benignly on the railway train, the gaslight,
the breech-loader.

Those ruins on the Acropolis merit all their fame, and transcend

272 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

all eulogy. They thrill at the first visit, they grow upon you every
time you return. It seems that only within the present generation
has there come to be understood the wonderful system of curves
according to which the temples there, and there alone, weie built.
The long steps, the pillars, the very grooves of the pillars, curve in
conic sections, and the different grooves of the same pillar have dif-
ferent eccentricities, so that the eye never falls on a sharp line be-
tween two grooves, but all is soft in its gently curving outline,
whatever part, great or small, we look at, or from whatever point
of view. It is believed that the total failure of all imitations of the
Parthenon is due to the lack of these delicate curves, most of which
are detected only by instrument Some account of the matter is
given in Felton's " Ancient and Modern Greece," published three
years ago, and a very readable book, which the University library
surely must possess. It is very wonderful to find these delicate de-
tails, wrought out with scientific exactness and on so grand a scale,
n so early a work* Matchless genius there was in all this, but also
profound study, and boundless labor in the execution ; and in every
department of human effort it requires all three of these to achieve
any great work. . .

After all descriptions, I had little conception of the Areopagus. It
is just a huge lump of limestone rock, rising on the gradual western
slope of the Acropolis hill (which on every other side is precipitous),
and with a depressed neck of earth between it and the far higher
and larger rock of the Acropolis itself. The rock is perfectly bare
and rough. Near the eastern end, but fronting south toward the
Agora, are cut the sixteen steps, narrow and rude, leading up to
a small space which has equally rude seats cut in the rock, mak-
ing a small square, and two little stands for accuser and accused.
The fifty judges (I believe that was the number) must have folded
their cloaks quite small and laid them close together, as they sat
upon these half-hewn seats without backs, and the spectators could
only perch around on the little natural lumps in the hard gray and
reddish limestone. On one of the low stands, two or three feet
square and high, partially cut out of the rock, and either facing the
Acropolis or facing the other way toward the Pnyx, Paul must have
stood. It seems very queer that not only in this strange old court,
but in the popular assemblies at the Pnyx, the speaker spoke in the
open air, standing on a piece of rock rudely hewn, and the hearers
sat on stone seats, when they had seats at alL The open sky and
plain, mountains and sea, the fair city around and the grand Acrop-
olis towering yonder, gave the orator great advantage in his allu-

A YEAR ABROAD 273

sions to nature and history, and the stone seats might well warn
him not to be tedious. Not wonderful that Demus was often rest-
less and impatient. So too, in the recently excavated theater of
Dionysus, where the great dramas of ^Eschylus, Sophocles, Eurip-
ides, and Aristophanes were all performed, the seats are all stone,
the priests in front having only the distinction of marble, with arms
and a concave back.

But I must go and mail this, and then come and " look over," asj
the other schoolboys say, the lesson my teacher in modern Greek
gave me.

ATHENS, May 5, 1871 : The lessons in modern Greek are accom-
plishing fully as much as I expected from them, and are costing me
no worry at all. I have been sightseeing when I felt like it, and had
a good many long and pleasant walks, both alone and in company.
Two nights ago I went to see the Acropolis by moonlight, in com-
pany with Doctor Smyth, of Andover Theological Seminary, and his
wife's sister, a very pleasant lady. Her enjoyment of the scene
made me wish all the more, what I am so often wishing, that you
could be with me. As the clear, full moon shone down serenely upon
those matchless columns, and flung its soft light over all that spot so
rich in charming memories, I thought again and again that if Lottie
were here, and our daughters, and Mary Smith, and Jennie, . . I
would fairly say, I am happy. " Man never is, but always to be
blest."

Well, I did greatly enjoy it, and nothing would have been more
out of place then and there than to give way to vain longings for
the impossible. What a power and life there was in that old Greek
spirit, to infuse itself into chiseled stone, and live there forever,
ready to cast its spell over every stranger who draws near to behold.
The power of oratory and of song is wonderful, but then they em-
ploy that most marvelous of all human inventions, language, and
that finest of all instruments, the human voice ; the musician throws
his soul into the instrument, and stirs our souls to their deepest
depths, and we justly say, how wonderful ; but then he has all the
varieties and combinations of changeful sound. And the painter has
color, and even the sculptor has posture and symbolical action, and
both have easy command over our sympathies by presenting in pre-
ternatural beauty the human form. But the architect— where dwells
the charm of that ruined Parthenon, making it seem the perfection
at once of beauty and sublimity ? — as if the beauty of yonder sleep-
ing sea, and of yonder dark mountains, and of yonder glorious

s

274 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

mighty heavens, had all come to dwell in these rows of marble col-
umns and broken marble walls ? . .

Yesterday, as I said, was the king's name day. Men in Greece
are almost always named after some saint, and then they celebrate
the calendar-day of that saint as their " name-day," receiving visits,
etc. The young king is fortunate in having a good Greek namer
and St. George is one of the great saints, with a day that comes at
a pleasant season. The great feature of the celebration is the serv-
ice at the Metropolitan Church. I happened to fall in with the
Smyths going, and we were carried by their dragoman within the
railing, just to the left of the throne ; and though others were turned
out, the foreigners were left there undisturbed. After due delay, the
foreign ministers came in, resplendent with gold-lace and order rib-
bons, and it was very funny to see them all around us with their
elaborate greetings and magnificent politeness. A platform held
two chairs, red velvet and gold, with a little crown at the top of the
back, and their majesties came in and stood before the chairs, get-
ting pretty tired of the long service. . . I couldn't understand the
service, and as it was my first and last time of being within five feet
of royalty, I observed them pretty closely. . .

Sam sent his love to the next king and queen I saw, but he'll have
to pardon me — I really hadn't a chance to deliver it. . .

After we came out, I ran (literally) to see the procession pass along
Hermes Street— trumpets and galloping cavalry, with the same blue
and white uniform, and carnages dashing by at a gallop. „ .

CORFU, May 16, 1871 : We sailed from Athens till we reached
in four hours the isthmus of Cormth, which we crossed in carriages,
three miles, passing the site of the old Isthmian games. We waited
an hour at the little town of New Corinth, the famous city where
Paul labored so long. The gulf of Corinth presents much beautiful
scenery. It is narrow and winding like the Scotch lakes, with bold
headlands and high mountains, some of them, both in the Pelopon-
nesus and on the north, being bright with snow. After passing
Helicon on the north, we came towards evening within clear view of
Parnassus, whose mantle of snow is very broad, and probably never
cast off for all the persuasion of the summer sun. . . During the
night we passed Missalonghi, where Lord Byron died. Yesterday
we had a capital view of the island of Ithaca, famous for Ulysses
and Penelope. One of my companions, a young Massachusetts
professor, was reading the " Odyssey " in Greek. At midnight we
were at Corfu, and had the next day before us. . .

A YEAR ABROAD . 275

J. A. B. to MISS ANNIE H. BROADUS:

CORFU, May 16, 1871 : But I am not giving you the slightest
conception of the transcendently beautiful scene, as we saw from a
high rock on the summit of a mountain. I had been getting more
and more delighted as we went along. It is so pleasant after being
at sea, to look out on a wide expanse of terra firma, with its trees
and crops and friendly flowers. The roses seemed to have caught
a smile from the lips of those 1 love. The ripening flax brought
back the days of boyhood, when I used to pull flax for mother. The
huge figs, almost ripe on the trees, suggested the most luscious tastes.
The flourishing young vines cut almost to the ground in winter, but
now full of rapidly growing shoots and pretty bunches of young
grapes, seemed to radiate from their tender and quivering leaves the
very vitality of spring, and to send joyous life tingling through my
nerves. The laborers, with their bright dresses, all looked smiling.
The cheery upland breezes seemed to whisper of all pleasant things.
And when, after many an exclamation of delight I reached the high
rock and looked around, I clapped my hands and shouted for very
gladness.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

MILAN, May 23, 1871 : We left Florence Monday morning (yes-
terday) and came through to Milan in ten hours. The day was
very fine, and the ride uncommonly pleasant. . .

From Bologna came by Modena, Parma, Piacenza — famous names,
but we flitted by, and saw but little. Far to the west of us was
bending away the high range of the Apennines, with several snow-
clad summits. The railway runs almost exactly along the Roman
Via /Emilia, and all about were the sites of Roman towns and Ro-
man battles.

At Florence Doctor Broadus rejoined the young ladies
and they now had the joys of the Alps together,

J. A. B. to WM. WILLIAMS :

INTERLAKEN, June 6, 1871 : At Geneva I made some effort one
afternoon to find places associated with Calvin, and it was curious
to see how little could be found. There is a library, in which are
autographs, etc., of him, and other Reformers, but it was closed, and
the librarian was not at home. There is the house in which he lived
twenty-one years, up to his death. . . It is one of the largest houses
in the vicinity, of excellent stone, two stories high besides cellar and

276 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

garret rooms, and built around three sides of a court. The only thing
to be learned from my survey is, that from his first going to Geneva,
Calvin lived in excellent style and ample comfort. Then I tried to
find the Champel, a hill south of the town, on which Servetus was
" executed." After some inquiries it was reached, but a couple of
intelligent gentlemen who were passing assured me that the place of
the execution was entirely unknown — it was somewhere in this
vicinity. . . The cemetery in which Calvin was buried is known,
but it is no longer used, and the exact spot occupied by his remains is
unknown, as he expressly forbade the erection of any monument
over his grave. . . An admirer of Calvin (and assuredly I belong to
that class) might liken the case to that of Christianity itself, whose
original abodes have long been occupied by its enemies, leaving few
genuine memorials beyond the mere natural locality, but which thus
only the more vindicates its character as not local and sensuous. To
complete the series of failures, I called at Dr. Merle d'Aublgne's, but
the servant reported he was at dinner, and I said I would call in the
evening—which circumstances made impracticable.

At Lausanne I hunted up the garden in the rear of a house in
which garden Gibbon wrote the last volume of his history, and
where he tells that after writing the last sentence, late at night, he
laid down the pen, took several turns in the garden, and thought—-
what in the world is it that he says he thought? . . Anyhow,
he thought something or other, probably a very self-complacent
thought, as it would have been like his character, and anyhow, it is
a lovely little garden in which he wrote. Completely shaded (now)
by six fine trees, and with an adjoining flower-garden on a lower
level of the hill to send up its sweet odors by day and by night to his
table and chair, it commands a wide and most beautiful view of the
Lake of Geneva, and of the successive ranges of the Alps beyond,
with Mont Blanc in the distance. I got to thinking about what an
excellent thing it is for a student and author to be rich, and the fact_
that besides Gibbon, Grote was rich, and Buckle, and Prescott.
. . . Gibbon's house has been converted into the Hotel Gibbon, and
has Jong been popular as a place of summer resort, Lausanne having
one of the most beautiful situations of all the world's cities. Among
the schools for which it is famous, is the Academy, and here Vmet
was once professor. 1 had considerable trouble in finding his lectme
room. At length, after being stared at for my inquiries about the
late distinguished professor, I stumbled upon an old servant man,
who with some effort remembered about Vmet, and would show me
his portrait. So we went upstairs from the court of the building,

A YEAR ABROAD 277

and hunted round for the portrait among a number on the walls of a
room ; but didn't find it. Then he thought it must be somewhere
else, and went in at a door about as uninviting as that by which we
and our students enter the halls of wisdom—except that it was in a
stone wall, but very old and ugly. We climbed an old spiral stone
stairway, and got into a small room, where was another old man.
" He can tell you," said my guide. So he told me that there is no
portrait of Vmet there, though there is a picture somewhere else in
ihe town, representing him and others on some public occasion. I
inquired for his lecture room, and behold, it was this room. It is
about twenty-four by fourteen feet, low pitched, with one small win-
dow at the end, looking on a dull street, and two or three small win-
dows in the side looking into the old court of the academy. The
professor stood at the other end, with no window near and must have
had a pretty dull time of it, as to his surroundings, and also a rather
small class. I think our lecture rooms are twice as agreeable, being
so much better ventilated and lighted, besides having a goodly space
above, into which a man may let loose his voice upon occasion. The
room here was rather dark, and the students couldn't always make
their hasty notes legible. And as the book on homiletics was eked
out from their notes, there can be of course no doubt that the pas-
sages in it which you never could understand, and I never could ex-
plain to you, were derived from notes taken on rainy days.

It is not pleasant to think how soon a theological professor may be
forgotten in the places where he was so great a man. My aged in-
formant was a librarian, and the lecture room is now a reading room
to the library. 1 think we really must get us a librarian, and one
likely to be long-lived.

I haven't heard what was done for or with the Seminary at St.
Louis, but hope to hear soon. Tell Thomas that we went to
Chamounix last week, having perfect weather and a delightful trip.
Now, we are shut up by a succession of rainy days. But we are at
a pleasant place, and have no special engagements, and are taking
it very easy.

My health gets better and worse — I don't know how it is. Some-
times1 I fear that I can never stand anything like close study again,
but I look forward with much interest and pleasure to the time for
resuming my work. I have written to engage passage for July 8,
which would take me to Charlottesville about July 20, where I should
be glad to hear from you.

1 And yet he did hold himself to severe study till the very last

278 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Doctor Broadus and the ladies went by Lucerne to
Baden and then down the Rhine to Cologne. It was
now safe to go to Paris.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

PARIS, June 16, 1871 : Poor Paris ! The Boulevard des Italiens,
with its splendid shops, shows no crowds of passers-by, as it used
to do, and almost everybody looks grave and even sad. However,
it is rather a credit to the people that they have such an aspect ; there
has been enough to make them so, and the future of France is sadly
uncertain.

PARIS, June 19, 1871: We were fortunate on Sunday. Finding
that one of the French Protestant chapels, belonging to the congre-
gations which reject State aid, led by my friend Pressense", was near
here, I went there in the morning, and learned that the preacher for
noon was M. Bersier. I knew of him from the " Revue Chretienne,"
which I used to take, as an eloquent and scholarly man. We went,
and were greatly gratified, though I couldn't understand quite as
well as I do a German preacher. . . Bersier is a fine-looking man,
tall enough and broad-chested, with a splendid forehead and classical
features, and a voice not powerful, but sweet and ringing. The
text was Isa. 40 : 9— end. The sermon was recited, except (I thought)
some passages towards the close. He spoke of the occasion to
which the prophet referred, a nation crushed and its capital in ruins,
and yet comfort in waiting on the almighty and eternal God. The
two facts, God is powerful, God is eternal, were shown to contain
consolation, not for the fatalist or the pantheist, but for the Chris-
tian. Then he applied it to present circumstances— spoke of the
proud and powerful people, the brilliant civilization, the irreligion
and vain philosophies, and the nation subdued, and beautiful Pans
with her proudest palaces in ruins — and to crown all, this last tra-
gedy of blood and fire, as awakening fears for the future. Then
he talked of consolation for the Christian, even here and now, in re-
membering God— of the political and social duties of the hour— said
that true Christians could regenerate France, and even a true leaven
cf it could save her ; that in the seventeenth century, when the talents
of Bossuet and the virtues of Fenelon conld not stop the corruption
of Catholicism, Protestantism had saved France, and Protestantism
must do it again. These were the leading thoughts. The style had
not only the elegance which is so characteristically French, but
terseness and point, and there was a pathetic tenderness of sentiment

A YEAR ABROAD 279

and the delivery swelling to passion when he spoke of the incendi-
aries, and of the socialistic philosophies which had led to all this,
that was extremely impressive. Several passages took possession
of me, though I could not more than half understand. I felt as when
one hears a most impressive song, catching only enough of the
words to see the general drift, and borne along by sympathetic senti-
ment rather than by ideas fully apprehended.

PARIS, June 24, 1871 : This morning I went alone to the great
National Library, which claims to be the largest m the world. They
have for some years been making a new suite of rooms, and so one
cannot see the books, but I entered the reading rooms, of which the
principal one is lighter and more elegant than the grand room at the
British Museum. Though I had no card of permission, and not even
my passport, they agreed, after some parleying, to let the " Ameri-
can " gentleman see the MS. of the New Testament (known as C),
which is one of the treasures ; and I had the pleasure of turning
over its leaves for half an hour. (Cardinal Antonelli never answered
my humble request to see B at the Vatican. I mean to try again to
examine A in the British Museum.) Can't learn anything thus,
but it is a pleasure, and will interest my pupils.

J. B. JETER to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 1871 : I am mortified that I did not see
you while you were here. I did not learn that you were in the city
till this afternoon. I wish to talk with you about many things. By
all means you should write a book and publish a portion — two-thirds
in the " Herald." This arrangement would aid the circulation of
the book. . .

You know not what you missed by failing to call on me. Mrs.
Jeter has such a collection of compliments for you as no other mor-
tal, I presume, ever received at one time. It will put your modesty
to a severe test.

CHAPTER XIII
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE

And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.

— Lowell*

AND now the Seminary once more. This enterprise
had always been on Doctor Broadus's heart and
in his prayers. His best service to it was in the future.
His life had been spared for it and he was richer for this
work by reason of his European and Oriental travel.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., July 13, 1871 : So far as I can judge, the
prospects are, ( i) That the Seminary will be sustained. It is stronger
than ever in the confidence and affections of the people, and any
attack upon it would only intensify and render more practical the
interest felt in it (2) It will leave Greenville. (3) Kentucky, Ten-
nessee, and Georgia, afford the most desirable sites. At present no
enthusiasm appears to have been developed except in Kentucky, and
a few days more will show the result there, in part at least. . .

ON G. & C. R. R., Aug 7, 1871 : I am on my way to Kentucky.
Ten days ago I declined presidency of Georgetown College. But
they telegraphed that " the board ^desire a personal interview and
will pay expenses" ; so I am off . .

Perhaps it may be that I can " leave the Seminary for the Semi-
nary's good " like the Botany Bay emigrants leave their country.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Aug. rr, 1871 : I can't face the idea of
losing you, and it would be very nearly impossible to make me see
that your leaving us could be an advantage to the Seminary. But
I have much more confidence in your judgment than my own. If
you think it best, for yourself and for the cause, to make the change,
I must try to be reconciled, but it would be very hard. I really
280

Page 2SO

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 28l

shudder at the idea of losing your so dear companionship and so
valued co-operation, and I entreat you to be very slow to think it your
duty to change. I feel particularly disqualified for judging about the
question, because I don't really understand the status of things. I
rarely got the " Herald " while absent, and it is curious how com-
pletely behindhand I find myself. I have been waiting to see you
and Boyce in order to post myself. As to salary, we must all have
more in a year or two at the farthest, or the whole concern will
fail.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Aug. 12, 1871 : Uncle William came up
last night. He was at the Louisville Convention about removing
the Seminary. He says the leading Russellville men will not con-
sent to merging Bethel College into the Seminary. They want us
as a theological department of the college. . .

He says the only real prospect is of our going to Louisville, and
does not think that it is very brilliant.

So Doctor Manly, after a severe struggle as to his duty,
went to Georgetown, and the rest, Boyce, Broadus, Wil-
liams, and Toy, with saddened hearts took up the work.
Broadus undertook the Students' Fund, while Boyce
assumed homiletics, unwilling that Broadus, still in poor
health, should do double work. The Chicago University
was making overtures to get Broadus as its head, but he
was going to remain with the Seminary through "thick
and thin." He soon went to New York in the interest
of the Seminary.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

EN ROUTE TO NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 1871 : This terrible fire at
Chicago will almost ruin my enterprise, I fear, but I must follow the
lead of Providence, and am not nervous on the subject.

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 1871 : Mr. Gellatly and I went over to
Brooklyn to Mr. Pentecost's, and presently to a social meeting of
Brooklyn pastors, of all denominations. They postponed their ap-
pointed subject of conversation, and called on one of their number for
an account of his visit to California, and on me for my travels. I
talked at some length, and was asked a variety of questions, and
treated with much courtesy. Edward Beecherwas there, but not

282 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Henry Ward. Doctor Conant was present, very civil to me, and
invited me to dine with him some day this week, which I shall proba-
bly do. . .

Yesterday was the most unlucky time for my contribution, cer-
tainly. Preached at Hanson Place (Pentecost's) in the morning,
and in the evening they were to have a sermon and collection for

Chicago ; and where 1 preached in the evening they had C in

the morning. But the former gave me something over three hun-
dred dollars, cash down, and the latter will not probably fall below
the same sum. I think this was very generous. I was treated with
all possible consideration.

NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 1871 : It is more and more clear to me that
the Seminary must go West or go down.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Feb. 13, 1872: Sunday was a day of trou-
ble in Greenville. The news spread that you were alarmingly ill,
and there was great distress and anxiety. The attempt to get a
telegram through that day failed, and we had to wait. So it went
until Monday afternoon. Not only our immediate circle, professors,
students, church, but everybody was expressing concern and desire
to hear again. Many times the Negroes stopped me on the street to
ask if we had heard anything more, and the shopkeepers would call
from behind the counter as I passed their doors. And to-day, as I
rode by the home of the old one-armed lady who belongs to our
church, she called out to stop me, and came tottering out to ask.

God be thanked for the news received last evening that you were
decidedly better. God spare you, if it please him, and raise you up
speedily again for active service. But don't forget Milton's grand
image :

His state

Is kingly, thousands at his bidding- speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest ;
They also serve who only stand and wait.

My dear fellow, God bless you, in body and mind and soul.

Brown University was after Doctor Broadus for presi-
dent, Crozer Seminary also sought him. Rev. W. D.
Thomas wrote : " Glad to know that nothing moves you.
. . I wish I had a hundred thousand to give the Semi-
nary."

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 283

J. L. JOHNSON to J, A. B. :

DANVILLE, VA., March 14, 1872 : I have had much pleasure in
reading your " Recollections of Travel " and always feel something
of disappointment when the " Herald " comes without a column
from you. Don't be in a hurry to get over the ground. I believe I
have most pleasure in your accounts of places having literary asso-
ciations, but I enjoy them all, and I doubt not many are learning
something of geography and history too, who knew precious little
of either. By the way, I had recently an illustration of Hiden's say-
ing, " The amount of ignorance which some people have accumu-
lated is really astonishing."

W. H. WHITSITT to J. A. B. :

ALBANY, GA., March 4, 1872 : I regret not a little the cry that is
raised about Bro. Williams' ears, and wrote to him a few days ago
giving an expression of my feelings. As to " alien immersions "
there is a "debatable land" with every case that arises, but the
principle on which to decide these cases is clearly and unmistakably
that which Bro. W enunciates and maintains.1

ALBANY, GA., April 9, 1872 : Yours of the 3oth March was re-
ceived last week. After turning the subject over many times and
praying for Divine guidance I have concluded to accede to your re-
quest to permit my name to be proposed to the Board of Trustees for
the position of assistant professor.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

COLUMBIA, S. C., May 7, 1872: Manly got on at Newberry, and
I talked over with him the questions about the Seminary and Louis-
ville, he expressing himself as ready to do everything in his power
to help us there, if we should go. It is more and more clear to my
mind that the board cannot decide, and will have to appoint a
large committee to meet, say three months hence, and let Louisville
in the meantime be canvassed. The question is pretty clearly be-
tween Chattanooga and Louisville.

RALEIGH, N. C., May 9, 1872 : Found on the train many friends,
and had much pleasant talk with Uncle William and others. At
Hillsboro Mrs. Gov. Graham came aboard with some of her very
interesting family. Reached here at seven o'clock, beautiful day.

1 Doctor Williams laid little stress upon the administrator for the validity of bap-
tism.

284 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

Had been assigned to Colonel Heck, splendid home, many brethren,
Doctor Randolph and I in a delightful room. . .

But we are all filled with grief at the death of Dr. A. M. Poin-
dexter, which occurred two or three days ago, after a very brief ill-
ness. It is a terrible shock, and casts a gloom over all hearts. May
these many losses be blessed to the Convention.

Doctor Boyce was elected president on first ballot, by a considera-
ble majority, Doctor Curry being next. He made a good address
on taking the chair. Vice-presidents, Curry, A. P. Abell, Fuller,
Crane, and Davis, of Bethel College. I presented Boyce the mallet,
with a few words, and it was quite unexpected to find it exciting
much interest.1

ON THE CARS, May 23, 1872 : I should have decided last night
to remain but for one thing. I should not hesitate to miss the Edu-
cational Convention and the General Association in Staunton, but it
is necessary to consult and decide during the Conventon whether
we are to make that effort in New York. . . This is a matter of the
highest importance, on which the future of the Seminary may turn,
and as I have providentially made friends in New York, it seems to
be my duty to be present next week on that account. But I am go-
ing with a heavy heart. . .

And now even for myself I want to be resting and trying to get
some strength, and quietly making some progress as a student,
instead of wearing out what is left of me in fatiguing journeys and
exciting Conventions and collecting campaigns in June. But it seems
to be my duty, and Providence is wiser than I am. My life has been
graciously, and in some respects strangely, directed by Providence.
I have often, when sorely troubled, found unanticipated blessings.

PHILADELPHIA, May 30, 1872 : They keep us very busy. (Edu-
cational Convention.) Some very interesting men here. Doctor"
Sears' address was inspiring, and Doctor Kendrick's on Classical
Studies was unrivaled. I spoke good-humoredly against Doctor
Brooks on having women in the colleges. Am on a committee with
E. G. Robinson, and had the satisfaction of agreeing with him.
Doctor Sears has treated me with marked courtesy. . . It is decided
that Boyce and I shall not make any attempt in New York now,
and so I expect to be at home by twentieth or twenty-fifth of June. I
want to get home and stay there. I am to leave this evening, hop-

1 A gavel of olive wood he had brought from Jerusalem.

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 285

ing to get to Staunton to-morrow, and expect to spend most of next
week at Charlottesville.

STAUNTON, VA., June i, 1872 : Received at the depot by my friend
General Echols, formerly of Union, Monroe County. I stayed at his
house there in summer of 1859, and am delightfully situated with
him here. Interesting family, charming home, several other brethren.

APPROACHING RICHMOND, June 3, 1872: Not having had sleep
enough for several nights, and feeling quite fagged, I went home
and spent ten hours in bed. Preached yesterday morning at Epis-
copal church, on " Raising of Lazarus." Very large house, crowded,
benches in the aisles. All the famous lawyers of Staunton were
there— I wish it might be blessed to their good. . .

At night I heard Bro. Winfree, of Chesterfield, a country preacher
almost equal to Gnmsley.

My stay at General Echols' was very pleasant indeed. Great
crowd leaving Staunton this morning. Very interesting to be with
so many dear old friends. Have had a long talk with Doctor Jeter, at
his request, about the location of the Seminary. Also many talks
with many others. A. Broaddus and his wife sit across the aisle of
the car. W. D. Thomas comes by and says, Give my love to your
wife and your ma, talks awhile, and goes off, saying, finish your
letter. Doctor Curry, who was president of the General Associa-
tion, and hard-worked, is on the seat behind me, asleep. Bitting is
over yonder, gayly talking with some lady, etc., etc.

I concluded this morning to keep on down to Richmond to B Js

marriage this- evening, and back to Charlottesville to-morrow.

B is going to Europe on her bridal trip, and said she wished I

was going along, but I reckon I should be " vnpm de trop " this time.

J. A. B to MISS E. S. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., June 4, 1872 : 1 learn, as coming from Professor
Harris and Professor Winston, that the Philadelphia breakfast was
a delightful affair, and that among all the amusing and taking
speeches, Doctor Boyce quite carried off the palm. He made a fine
impression throughout the Convention.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, June 6, 1872 : Took tea at Doctor
McGuffey's. His work on " Mental Philosophy "— like Haven in
size and design — is printing, and he showed me proofs. He looks
as young and vigorous as ever. .

286 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

I attended a lecture of Gildersleeve's at half past twelve, and got
ideas. In the evening he and Holmes and Peters called, and Doctor

Davis was prevented after proposing. G was glad to meet

somebody interested in grammar, and sat late, very full of talk.

W. F. MOULTON to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, SURREY, ENGLAND, July 29, 1872 : I am ashamed

to discover that a year has passed since I received your letter written
off Queenstown. The explanation of my apparent forgetfulness is
very simple, though I cannot feel that the excuse is sufficient.
Messrs. Nisbet kindly sent me the volume on " Homiletics" with
very little delay, and I lost no time in writing a few lines of recom-
mendation in the " London Quarterly Review." I could not bring
myself, however, to write to you until I had done more m attestation
of the very high estimate I had formed of your woik. For several
months I have been waiting for an opportunity of writing a more
complete notice of the book, but an unexpected pressure of work has
until now prevented me from doing anything of this kind. I hope,
however, to carry out my purpose very soon. " Homiletics " is not
a subject which belongs to my department ; but I have done all that
has been in my power to recommend your work as the best treatise
on this important subject that I have ever met with. I earnestly
hope its circulation in England will be very large.

I thank you very sincerely for your kind words respecting my edition
of " Winer." If you will have the kindness to mention to me any
suggestions which occur to you in using the book, or any mistakes
which may attract your notice, I shall be very much obliged. I am
now preparing for a second edition : after this, I wish to leave the
book untouched for some years.

I am disappointed to find that the distance of New York from
South Carolina makes it impossible for you to join the American
Company of Revision. It would have been a great pleasure to me
to think that we were engaged in the same work.

Doctor Broadus fulfilled his engagement at the Crozer
Commencement and made a brief trip to New York,
where he and Doctor Boyce labored to keep the Semi-
nary afloat.

, , A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Sept. 13, 1872: I hope and pray that it may
all turn out straight about our going to Louisville. If we can get

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 287

established there I am persuaded that you and we together can do a
great deal of good. . . One thing is to my mind clear— that we shall
help the colleges instead of harming them. If it should be thought
best by them to give up theological teaching, I think that will be
best in the end. The people now regard that as the most important
part of the college, and. I know it is necessary to make that go.
But they can, when the time comes, be persuaded from the example
of Virginia and North Carolina, and of all the Northern Baptist col-
leges, that colleges do better without attempting theology than with
it. And all the interest in ministerial education which the Seminary
will help to awaken will tend to send students to the colleges for
their literary education. . .

I hope your Greek professor drills a great deal in the forms, and
makes them write much Greek. If he doesn't, it would be a good
thing if you could get a tutor as soon as practicable that would push
that sort of thing. . .

Williams is very busy, having undertaken Boyce's work as well
as his own.1 I hope his health may keep up — it was improved by a
jaunt in the mountains in August.

I have pretty good health except as to my eyes, which get no better.2

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE,3 Oct. 8, 1872 : I shall have a hard time. I trust I
shall have the earnest prayers of all of you. . .

The pastors here are all pledged to me by vote at their conference
yesterday.

Doctor Boyce at first found much indifference toward
the Seminary among the Baptists of Louisville. This

1 Doctor Broadus now resumed homiletics

2 Dr. George B Eager (now professor in the Seminary) entered the Seminary this
fall. He recalls distinctly how, on a visit to Dr. Broadus's house, he spoke particu-
larly of the importance of students taking care of their eyes, alluding to the trouble
under which he was then laboring. Doctor Eager also says: "One of the most
vivid recollections I have of Dr. Broadus associates him with a homespun suit and
his habit of eating apples. (I afterwards heard him tell that the suit was made
for him and presented to him by one of the good sisters of a country congregation
to which he was preaching ) I can see him still, as I saw him then, in the bright
and bracing air of those frosty mornings in the fall of '72, striding on to his lecture-
room eating apples and greeting all he met with his accustomed smile and cheery
words. It was a sight to impress the imagination and memory."

8 Doctor Boyce had gone to Louisville to see if he could raise enough towards the
endowment in Kentucky to justify moving the Seminary there, the other professors
meanwhile carrying on the institution in Greenville.

288 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

was chiefly due to lack of acquaintance with the institu*
tion, and gradually disappeared. Doctor and Mrs. Ar-
thur Peter deserve special mention as being at once alive
to the importance of the enterprise for Louisville and the
South. They gave the first large contribution and
opened their home hospitably to Doctor Boyce. Through
all the years since this honored couple have loved the
Seminary and its professors. Mrs. Peter is a Virginian
and that fact gave her a new bond of friendship fo: Doc-
tor Broadus when he came to Louisville.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

GREENVILLE, S. C,, Oct. 29, 1872: We have been having our
usual charming autumn weather, but it has seemed more charming
than ever before. The growth of leaves was very luxuriant, and the
forests have now a richness of color that I have never seen equaled.
I think some of the great painters would go wild with delight to see
such gorgeous splendors as half a dozen points around us now
present.

I suppose you have seen " Life and Times of J. B. Taylor." I
find it very interesting, as I had expected.

W. A, MASON to J. A. B. :

OKOLONA, MISS., Jan. 3, 1873 : • • The opposition to the Semi-
nary arises from a gross misapprehension of the way things are car-
ried on there, and the indifference is simply ignorance. The Semi-
nary has never been represented in our Convention, and on tins
account a large majority of the brethren feel not much connection
with it Some think you are slighting the Southwest, in never send-
ing a representative farther west than Alabama. This is an argu-
ment constantly produced to alienate our people from the Seminary,
by those who oppose it. There are other influences silently (more
or less) at work here against our noble school, and all its friends de-
sire to throw every counteracting influence possible in the way.

J, P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., Feb. 25, 1873: I do not fear the badgering of
Williams. If any one badgers, let him fight. We need not fear the
consequences. I think some eyes would be opened to see that much
can be said on the other side of a question on which they speak so

V

-- Pk

f -t -\l

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 289

dogmatically. Perhaps Williams could ask them some hard ques-
tions.

Whitsitt writes me the Foreign Board would send him to Rome
(as missionary). I shall be very sorry to have him go with so brief
a stay with us. I have formed great hopes of him.

J. A. B. to JAMES P. BOYCE :

GREENVILLE, S. C. March 14, 1873 : I do not wonder that you
sometimes feel discouraged, painfully. The task is difficult, and the
kind of opposition encountered is very depressing. But life is always
a battle. My dear fellow, nobody but you can do it, and it will be,
all things considered, one of the great achievements of our time. To
have carried it through will be a comfort and a pleasure to you
through life, a matter of joy and pride to the many who love and
honor you, an occasion of thanksgiving through all eternity. Op-
position— every good thing encounteis opposition. Think of Paul,
of Jesus !

Nay, nay, no such word as fail. Somehow, somehow, you are
bound to succeed. The Seminary is a necessity. Our best brethren
want it. God has blessed it thus far. It is your own offspring. You
have kept it alive since the war,— fed it with almost your own heart's
blood. It must succeed, somehow, and you are the man that must
make it succeed.

J. A. B. to MRS. MARTHA BICKERS :

GREENVILLE, S. C., April 10, 1873 : If I find you there this sum-
mer, I want you to join me in visiting your home and also the home
of our youth. On a pleasant summer day there would be much pen-
sive satisfaction, and ought to be some profit, in reviving the recol-
lections of the days " when the world and we were young." . .

I believe in the open air. . . If your chest is weak, riding horse-
back will do you more good than anything else that can be started.
Many a person after severe hemorrhages, has been made strong by
It. And a trotting horse is the best. Let me see — I have dim recol-
lections of the time when you first grew up — what a comely damsel
you were ; a fair complexion and cheeks of pretty pink, all in the
days before you had that nervous fever which Doctor Herndon
couldn't fully cure, and which brought dyspepsia ; I dimly see you
now ; I must have been six or seven years old then ; and you were
riding an old gray horse, it seems to me, and the horse trots, and
you look worried, as much so as a nice young girl could be expected
to look, because your horse doesn't pace. That trotting horse was

T

2QO LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

doubtless the making of you. If it hadn't been for him you could
never have stood all you have gone through, of ill health and care
and toil. That trotting horse was a blessing in disguise, like many
another that it takes us forty years to find out. So get you another
trotting horse, and learn to ride again, and see if it doesn't make you
strong again, even young, and pretty, of course. So learn to ride,
sure enough, and we can then take that little jaunt on horseback. . .

Mother used to say, " Anything is hard to do if it's well done, and
doing nothing is the hardest of all things to do if it's well done."
Perhaps I don't do nothing well, for I find it not hard at all, and 1
can recommend it heartily.

I am glad to say that Annie and Sam have both been received by
the church, and are to be baptized on Sunday next. They seem to
be thoroughly in earnest, and I trust they are truly renewed. Some
thirty-five have recently joined our church, the fruits of a meeting
begun and for the most part carried on by our Seminary students.

It is now decided that we stay here another year. Our future after
that is very uncertain. But the Seminary has been wonderfully
guided and upheld through all these trying years, and by God's
blessing has become dear to very many of our best brethren, and so
I hope there will be given us a future.

I am under engagement to be at the University of Virginia, July
second, to read a paper in memory of Doctor Harrison.1

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., April 21, 1873 : I have now seventy-eight
thousand dollars and over. My prospect of reporting one hundred
thousand dollars tolerable. The fact is that my Louisville subscrip-
tion of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars is now to my mind
certain. But time, time ; I hope to see many of you at the Conven-
tion But I am anxious for Will'ams to go to Mississippi. If they
should treat him badly I shall be sorry on his account and theirs,
but it will help us. Soul liberty is worth more than alien immersion,
even with Landmarkers.

PHILIP SCHAFF to J. A. B. :

NEW YORK, April 28, 1873 : I just learn that i and 2 Samuel will
soon be published. Will send you the first copy unless you have

Published in the "Southern Review" and also in "Broadus's Sermons and
Addresses." Professor Smith spoke of it as " that noble essay on the life of Gessner
Harrison, which is worthy to be ranked with the best compositions of our literature."
Doctor Hiden compared it to Tacitus' s " Agncola"

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 291

already ordered it, m the meantime go on with the textual department
as fast as you can.1

F. H. SMITH to J. A. B. :

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, May 4, 1873 : At a quarter past six
o'clock this evening our venerated and valued professor, Doctor
McGuffey, quietly and in unconsciousness passed away. He lingered
for weeks, having rallied after his physicians despaired of him. His
daughter, Mrs. Hepburn, and his wife were the only relatives with
him. . .

Other gentlemen of the faculty, besides Dr. [John Staige] Davis,
have spoken to me most earnestly in reference to the matter, and in-
deed so far as I know, if the alumni, faculty, and friends of the In-
stitution were polled, their well-nigh, if not altogether unanimous,
choice would light on you.

These gentlemen desired me to approach you, or cause you to be
approached on the subject. I know of no way save that of simply
and directly telling you the facts and asking you to deliberate upon
them and give us your mature decision, earnestly hoping that this
decision will be favorable to us.

It would be presumptuous in me to attempt to argue the matter with
you. I could say nothing which will not occur with greater force to
your own reflections. I can very well understand the strength of
your love to the Seminary, the child of your care and toil.

J A. B. to MRS. B. :

MOBILE, May 9, 1873 : Dr. T. G. Jones' introductory sermon
last night (one and a half hours) was one of the noblest sermons I
ever heard— intensely practical, saying the very things that needed
to be said, and saying them with wonderful freshness and impres-
siveness.

MOBILE, May 12, 1873 '• Preached on John the Baptist pretty suc-
cessfully at St. Francis Street, and though very tired afterwards,
was not prostrated. . .

Convention adjourned this afternoon— only a sermon to-night.
Very good session, upon the whole. Some people say Boyce pre-
sides even better than Mell ; equally prompt, clear, and impartial,
and more cordial and genial. . .

I love you, dear wife, always, everywhere I love you. Try to

1 In the " Lange Commentary " (American and English Revision), to which trans-
lation Doctor Broadus and Doctor Toy contributed the commentary on i and a SamueU

LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

bear patiently the ills we cannot cure, and God be gracious to us
both.

Doctor Broadus supplied the First Church, Richmond,
during July and August. In November he went to New
York and New Jersey to procure assistance for the strug-
gling Student's Fund, while Boyce battled away in
Louisville. The students wrote : " You and your mis-
sion were made the special object of our prayer meet-
ing yesterday afternoon." On his return, Dr. Edward
Bright eagerly wrote to inquire if he would take the
Yonkers Church with a unanimous call and a generous
salary.

J A. B. to J. P. BOYCE:

GREENVILLE, S. C., Dec. 2c/, 1873 : I sympathize with your an-
noyance. . . But I am satisfied that if you were to resign, it would
do harm rather than good. It is true that people have come to think
you can accomplish impossibilities, and so they are disposed to stand
by and let you run the machine by your financial skill and influence,
but if you resigned they would say, " Well, if Boyce has given it
up, there is no hope." Our people have suffered so many losses
that they are too ready to give things up as lost. I am sure this is
the effect which your resigning would produce. . .

Cheer up, my dear brother. " Through much tribulation." But
God has been with us in six troubles, at least.

J. C. HIDEN to J. A. B. :

WILMINGTON, N. C., Jan. 17, 1874: . . I am glad to hear of
even the temporary relief to the professors in our beloved Seminary.
But I am still troubled about its needs. Oh, if our business men,
who have the means, could only be brought to feel (as some of us
poor, overworked, ill-furnished preachers can and do feel) the need,
the terrible, pressing, crying need of better furnished men to do the
pulpit work of our day !

Paul said, " Who is sufficient for these things?" and our people
are saying (in effect) " Almost anybody is." I know something
about what it means to preach Sunday after Sunday (two sermons)
to the same intelligent congregation for years, and to have some sort
of a standard of conscientious pulpit work, and then to feel that one
is expected to do the work of three good men, with the time, the

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 293

capacity for labor, and the health of one man, and with the prepara-
tion of half a man, and " haud ignarus wah, misens succurren
disco." . .

I was traveling on the cars some time ago, and a little Negro was
offering oranges for sale. He had evidently got the contagion prev-
alent in our latitude, and had just sense enough to proclaim through
the car, that " Dese oranges is from de Norf." A sprightly Yankee
woman was much amused, and the car rang with peals of laughter
as she stopped little cuffee and asked him "if he was sure his
oranges were Northern ones." " Yes'm, raised darV

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

AUGUSTA, GA., Jan. 19, 1874 : I suppose it may be best for me
to go to Greenville and talk matters over with all of you. I do not
wish to be hasty, and especially not to take steps which I shall have
to retract. I have made up my mind all along to keep on as long as
there was any chance. . . I doubt even now the possibility of per-
manently endowing the Seminary, and fear we shall have to give
up the whole work. Perhaps this is the will of the Lord. As I say,
I have no desire to take a step backward and therefore when I feel
compelled to say to the Board I can go on no longer, I shall not take
hold again, and I think my reasons for resigning will prevent any
one else from so continuing.

H. A. TUPPER to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 20, 1874 : Thanks for the $12,50 [for mis-
sions] : acknowledgment made as directed. Would that all the
world knew how to write a business letter as does J. A. B.

J. M. BOSTICK to J. A. B. :

BRIGHTON, S. C., Jan. 25, 1874: I read to the little congregation
there your appeal in the " Herald" of the 8th mst. It acted, in my
hands, like the Irishman's overloaded musket, that did more execu-
tion behind than before. The immediate response of the congrega-
tion was two dollars, but as I was traveling homeward with my
little boy he asked if I could afford to pay him half of thirty dollars,
which he says I owe him for a calf which I appropriated, and which
is now grown to the size of an ox. . . On my telling him that I
might get the money for him if he would use it well, he said he
wanted it for the Seminary. So here it is.

F. H. SMITH to J. A. B. :
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Feb. 24, 1874 : You kindly alluded to

294 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

my letter to Doctor Dabney. The doctor only used, as he had free
permission to do, such paragraphs as came immediately in the line
of his argument. There were some inferences which seemed to me
to be important, to which I am not sure that the doctor would sub-
scribe. I cannot help believing that the impenetrable silence of
Scripture as to the date of these two great extra-natural events, the
creation of the world and its final dissolution, both of which are an-
nounced with equal clearness, and are equally outside the scope of
science, is a shining instance of the wisdom and love of the Almighty.
To have revealed the date of creation would have put a term, and it
may be a near one, to the excursions of science and the discipline of
the intellect in the solution of the greatest problems of nature.

To have revealed the time of the end v/ould have been fraught
with disaster to the activity of the race.

So far as I can see, God has left the scientist as free to push his
maxim, *' Like effects imply like causes," to the remotest depths of
the past or future as the baldest materialism could leave him Chris-
tian Faraday is as untramrneled as skeptical Huxley. How glorious
will be the testimony of the unfettered science of the future to the
truths of religion. Indeed, I would go further and say that the Bible
not only permits the unlimited explorations of science, but requires
them as a solemn duty of the Christian philosopher.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Mar. Q, 1874 : I am more and more wedded
to the persuasion that the Seminary must be kept in operation or
abandoned. If we can't get these bonds for current support, by sum-
mer or early fall at farthest, I should prefer to quit and be done
with it, rather than to die a dozen deaths before it is over. And
I believe if we were to suspend, the whole country would feel that we
had failed, and we could not make head against the discouraging
effect, and the croakings in which some would abound who want
us to fail. I think, therefore, we had better determine to keep it
going or sink it.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

GREENVILLE, S. C,, April 21, 1874 : The students are constantly
inquiring, with the deepest concern, whether the Seminary is likely to
be suspended, or will go on next session. I tell them 1 hope it will
go on ; that I don't know how we are to manage it— -but I hope and
pray that God may put it into the hearts of the brethren to help man-
fully and immediately. We shall look with great anxiety for the

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 295

results of your visit to the Georgia Convention. Oh, that our dear
brethren may have a heart given them to rise up to the demands of
the hour,— this time that tries men's souls,-— that they may set an ex-
ample of heroic determination and cheerful sacrifice which will be a
keynote for all the conventions of the year, and will prove to all the
land how much it means to be a Baptist.

I am satisfied that ours is the most thoroughly Baptist theological
seminary in the country. My heart leaps up at the thought of the
good it will do, if it can be kept alive now.

J. L. M. CURRY to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Mar. 21, 1874: Doctor Boyce does not give a
flattering picture. Times were darker to Abraham when he was
promised an inheritance for the possession of himself and his seed.
To me the Seminary seems so much a necessity for our Baptist Zion
that I cannot permit myself to doubt its success.

S. S. CUTTING to J. A. B. :

NEW YORK, April 24, 1874 : 1 am overwhelmed at the idea of the
suspension of your Seminary. It must not be. We must make
common cause and prevent the possibility of such a calamity. Please
send me a letter about your condition such as I can use for your
benefit.

J. A. B. to MRS. B, :

JEFFERSON, TEXAS, May 9, 1874: I am thankful to say that we
did well. Had three hours, and got over eighteen thousand dollars
in bonds, besides land worth from one to three thousand more. Ex-
pect it to reach twenty thousand dollars certainly. This makes in
all sixty thousand, and leaves fifteen thousand to be raised to insure
opening next fall. Doctor Williams will start out in Texas, with this
to back him, and a hearty enthusiam among those present here. We
are to consult this evening. Will probably conclude that the others
shall work for the fifteen thousand dollars (and more for margin),
and Boyce and I shall work in Kentucky for endowment.

WASHINGTON, May 23, 1874 : My address * came off at 11.30 to-
day, and lasted forty minutes. I have reason to be gratified and
thankful at the result. A very crowded audience, already stimulated
by two previous addresses, gave me hearty applause (after their

1 On " The Work of the Baptists for the Next Half Century," at Jubilee meeting- of
the American Baptist Publication Society.

296 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

fashion) on appearing, very animated attention throughout, and
numerous congratulations and thanks afterwards. I thought you
would be pleased to know that my effort was well received. I wanted
to do some good, and I pray God that good may be done.

WASHINGTON, May 26, 1874 : Quite a surprise last night. Doc-
tor Cutting, Mr. Samuel Colgate, and others, got up a scheme, and
called on me to take ten minutes and state the present condition and
wants of our Seminary, they getting me the invitation. Of course
I said it was all their doing, not mine. I spoke five to eight min-
utes and they helped me by overwhelming applause. Then Mr.
Colgate rose in the aisle, spoke warmly and proposed an effort to
raise pledges of twenty-five hundred dollars a year for five years, to
support one professor. They were much pressed for time and could
not come to small sums but they made it up to one thousand nine
hundred and fifty dollars a year in a few minutes, of which my
Orange friends pledged eight hundred dollars a year. There was
also three hundred and sixty-seven dollars in cash given and a pledge
of two hundred and fifty more. It was all done cheerfully, zeal-
ously, in fact, with prodigious enthusiasm. The Orange men say
the two thousand five hundred a year shall be made up. They are
great and bitter sacrifices that you and I have to make, dear wife,
for this Seminary enterprise ; will you not rejoice with me at this un-
expected help which Providence has raised up for us?1

ORANGE, N. J., June i, 1874 :2 The services went off in a very
gratifying manner, so far as I could judge. The church is really
beautiful, and not hard to speak in. It holds some seven hundred,
was as full as it could hold in the morning, and ran over at night
The day was charming. I did not succeed to my satisfaction in my
sermon.

Doctor Broadus joined Doctor Boyce at the Mississippi
Convention, at Oxford, and then both spent June and July
in Kentucky, working for the endowment of the Semi-
nary. The letters show severe struggle and heroic
effort.

Often he rose early without sufficient sleep, to make

1 Doctor Broadus afterwards said that he felt all that he had ever learned and
thought focused in this eight minute speech. He was speaking for the very life of
the Seminary and held back nothing.

2 Dedication North Orange Church.

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 297

fatiguing journeys throughout the State, seeking to arouse
interest and allay opposition, and preaching almost every
day for six weeks and more. At Danville, Ky., he had
an interesting experience. He had despaired of doing
much. He was told of a farmer who might help a little.
Doctor Broadus found him sitting on a stump in his shirt
sleeves, but he listened to the Seminary's claims, and
cheerfully gave a thousand dollars. It is noteworthy
that Doctor Boyce and Doctor Broadus never became
discouraged about the Seminary at the same time. Each
served as a strong support to the other,

J. A. B. to MISS CARRIE F. DAVIS :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Aug. 4, 1874 : Our labors have not been
in vain. Though the full amount for current support the next five
years has not been reached, we are near it, and the result is sure.
Doctor Boyce and I were sufficiently successful in Kentucky for per-
manent endowment, notwithstanding drought, to satisfy us that the
thing can be carried through there, by hard work. I am now quite
hopeful as to the Seminary's future. It will stay here at least two
years more.

Doctor Williams returned a day before I did. In Mississippi, where
some have talked against him, he was received with uniform kindness.

JAMES THOMAS to J. M. BROADUS :

RICHMOND, VA., Dec. 12, 1874: You know Doctor Burrows has
resigned the pastorate of the First Church and there is no other man
in the South, or in the United States, that can fill his place but your
brother, John A. . .

I think he has planned, chalked out, and molded the Seminary
so perfectly that others can carry it out and he be spared from it to
do his heart's work, preach the gospel where thousands will hear
and where I believe, and our church believes, and our citizens be-
lieve, he can do more for all the churches in Virginia than any other
man. Is such a preacher to spend his life in a schoolroom ? Is he
to continue to make sacrifices? And above and beyond all this, is
he to sacrifice his wife and children entirely to the school? Is not
this side of the question too grave a one to be lightly passed over ?

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 16, 1875 : Now, in the opinion of his best

298 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

friends and brethren, he is offered the first place in Virginia for the
widest usefulness he ever can have, and with it an offer of a good
house and home in fee simple for himself and family and also to pro-
vide an insurance on his life for the benefit of his wife and children,
say fifteen thousand dollars. The two together would amount to
twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand dollars, and, I am sure, a
salary of five thousand per annum.

At the request of the Faculty of Richmond College,
Doctor Broadus wrote a tract on " A College Education
for Men of Business," which had a very remarkable cir-
culation. Richmond College published one hundred thou-
sand copies, and it was reprinted by the Wake Forest
College. Another tract of his, " Immersion Essential to
Christian Baptism/' published by the American Baptist
Publication Society, had already attracted wide attention.
For a number of years Doctor Broadus was editorial
contributor to the " Religious Herald " under the signa-
ture J. A. B.

J. A. B. to MRS, B. :

ATLANTA, GA., June 3, 1875 - Now I'll read some Odyssey. It
is raining very pleasantly. The very sound is refreshing, and the
distant roll of the thunder is a fine musical accompaniment. I have
a great liking for thunder. Yonder is an arm-chair by the window,
with a leather-cushioned seat, and there is nobody in the room but
me, and the thunder will keep me company.

J. B. LIGHTFOOT to J. A. B. :

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, Dec. 15, 1875 : Though you deprecated
my sending an acknowledgment of the notice which you were good
enough to send me some short time ago, I car not forbear writing to
you a few lines of thanks for your kindly and too generous appre-
ciation of my literary work

I wish that the Atlantic were not so broad and that there were
more chance of our meeting ; but failing this, it is a great pleasure
to me to shake hands across the ocean. I can honestly say that
nothing in my literary career gives me more satisfaction than the
thought that I am holding communion with many friends, some al-
together unknown to me personally, some (like yourself) only too
slightly known—in far distant countries. . .

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 299

I quite agree with you as to the treatment of the Epistle of Barna-
bas in "Supernatural Religion." The wriggling criticism of this
part is truly pitiable.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Jan. 24, 1876: This is my birthday. We
have entered, you and I, on our fiftieth year of life. Each of us
could look back with sore lamentings and might be tempted to re-
pinings, but let us try to be thankful instead, to be trustful too, and
hopeful. For one thing I give thanks at this moment, as often
before, that God has given me such a bosom friend as you.

J. W. WILDMAN to J. A. B. :

LYNCHBURG, VA., Feb. 4, 1876 : I noticed in a recent article of
yours for the " Herald " that you ask, where did Judge Lynch live?
The gentleman of this name, whose course of justice you referred to,
was a resident of my (Campbell) county. His residence, and I be-
lieve his house is still standing, was near Staunton River, and the
vicinity is to be identified with a small station (Lynch' s) on the Lg.
& D. R. R., at which Colonel Anthony was recently murdered. If
the place is the one I suppose, the tree is still standing in the yard to
which Mr. Lynch tied the criminals to administer his hickory jus-
tice. Our country about the time of the Revolution was infested with
outlaws, who committed their depredations and then retired to the
brushwood. When one was captured he was carried before " Judge "
Lynch, a wealthy man, who punished the offender in a summary
manner. I remember reading the fact in '* Virginia Antiquities'7
several years ago.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 24, 1876: I preached at Madison Ave.
last Sunday morning (for Publication Society) and at Fifth Ave.
(Armitage's) in the evening. Last night I preached here, Henson's
dedication, and had the great satisfaction, with a magnificent con-
gregation, of making one of my complete failures. The tamest
broken-down sermons I made in Kentucky, when traveling with
you, were better. Well, I really was not well enough to come on
this trip at all. But I dislike extremely to miss an appointment, and
thought maybe the travel would help me— and still hope so. . .

I intended to go home from here, but the Orange folks want a
supply for Sunday, and urged me to go. I always enjoy preaching
there, and I think it is the interest of the Seminary that I should do

300 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

what they request, as they are giving us one thousand two hundred
dollars a year. So I expect to get home next Tuesday night.

EZRA ABBOTT to J. A. B. :

CAMBRIDGE, Feb. 10, 1876 : I should be very much pleased to
see the article on Tischendorf to which you refer, and any other
^ articles which you may have published of which you have extra
copies. Hoping thus to effect an exchange, and as you are one of
the few in this country who seem much interested in the textual criti-
cism of the New Testament, I take the liberty of sending you copies
of some recent papers of my own, viz, notices of Tischendorf and
Tregelles, and a discussion of the readings of John i : 18 and of
Acts 20 : 28.

The first of May Doctor Broadus delivered before the
Newton Theological Seminary, five lectures on the " His-
tory of Preaching," which were afterward published.
This volume covers a most neglected field and handles
the subject with great skill.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

BOSTON, May 5, 1876: . . It rained last evening, yet we had a
better attendance than the first night. Got through in one hour and
ten minutes. They seemed interested. The thing is going off as
well as I could expect— not a brilliant success, but a success. My
throat was clearer than the first night. The morning was very
pleasant, and I walked to the Hill to a lecture, after writing.

PHILADELPHIA, May 30, 1876 : A hard day's work in the Ex-
position. Everybody ought to visit it that possibly can, for there
is not only much to be enjoyed but much to be learned.

Sheldon jumped at the offer of my " Newton Lectures," and will
give me ten per cent, on the retail price, the usual share for authors.
I must get the children to copy them with my corrections.

After the Newton lectures a week was spent in New
York as the guest of his friend, Mr. Coghill. He preached
in Brooklyn on Sunday, and afterward attended the
Baptist Anniversaries at Buffalo. Doctor Broadus, with
his daughter, then spent three delightful days at the
home of Doctor Randolph, near Philadelphia, attending

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 301

the Centennial Exposition, and being present at a large
gathering of the Baptist Social Union, where he made
an address. These busy weeks concluded with the
June meetings at Culpeper, Va.

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B, :

LOUISVILLE, KY., June 20, 1876: As to the Campbellite snarl,1 1
agree with you. It was within half an hour after hearing what I
did about Kerfoot that I wrote him our wishes and offered him the
place, and said nothing then nor when he came down about the
matter. The position we have taken upon disputed points, viz,
that of liberty to the professor, is the true one. Upon divided points
we must consent to be divided. . .

In a postscript to a letter to Toy I broke into a gentle remonstrance
and earnest entreaty on inspiration.

July and half of August was spent in preaching for
the North Orange Church, New Jersey. How Doctor
Broadus loved this church ! The week days were spent
with Mr. Gellatly and the Colgates on the Jersey coast.
Dr. Richard Fuller's presence added to the pleasure of
being at the seashore. Doctor Broadus began a " Life
of John the Baptist," which was much in his mind these
years, but it was never finished. He cherished the hope
of writing a " Life of Jesus " also, a " Grammar of New
Testament Greek," and a history of the " Interbiblical
Period " (five chapters of which are written).

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, Sept. 14, 1876 : Has any institution had such malig-
nant enemies as ours? What can be the cause? It is personal, not
a matter of principle ; yet what have any of us done to arouse such
feelings?

MRS. E. M. COLGATE to J. A. B. :
ORANGE, Oct. 6, 1876 : We had just finished reading your in-

1 The church at Midway, of which Rev. F. H. Kerfoot was pastor, had received a
Disciple without rebaptism. After Doctor Kerfoot became a professor in the Semi-
nary his studies led him to modify his views to an intermediate position between the
two extremes on the alien immersion question.

302 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

teresting review when we received your letter calling our attention
to it I learned more of Dr. Addison Alexander than I ever knew
before. It seemed to me an impressive way to thus compare men
with each other. Mr. Colgate has just finished the " Life of Mac-
aulay," and I have heard it by snatches. It is intensely interesting.
We both feel the truth of your criticism in regard to his literary
merit and to his character. Doctor Adams told me he thought the
reticence m regard to his religious life was more the author* fs omission,
and that an accompanied slur indicated his estimate of such things.

After the exciting election of 1876 Doctor Broadus was
asked to make a speech on the situation. Greenville
" Daily News," Nov. 12, 1876 :

Doctor Broadus said this triumph had come sooner than he had
expected He had often said the day must come—that the intelli-
gence and property of the State must control the State government ;
but he had not in past years dared to hope it would come so soon as
this. He wanted to say, and as they had sent to his home for a
Christian minister to speak, they would expect him to say : " Thank
God ! " (This was repeated three times. The crowd was hushed
into silence.) He said two things in this canvass had given him
especial satisfaction. One was the high character of Gen. Hamp-
ton, and the consummate wisdom with which he had conducted the
canvass. The other was the self-control which our people have
shown. We Southerners are hot-headed and sometimes wanting in
calmness. But, as a general thing, our people have of late acted
with a steady determination, and shown a forbearance in trying cir-
cumstances which was highly gratifying. Let us continue to act
in this spirit, to cultivate and exercise self-control.

He suggested that as we are successful, we can be magnanimous
without being misunderstood. Not only must there be perfect jus-
tice to all, and an effort so to manage that everybody in the State
may have occasion to rejoice at Hampton's being governor, but there
should be magnanimity.

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., Dec. 6, 1876 : I am decidedly of the opinion
that you had best retain your editorial connection with the " Herald,"
because we must not ruin ourselves with our real and tried friends
everywhere to avoid a little attack now and then. I only thought it
politic (as a rule) to hold no editorial connections. But when this is

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 303

demanded of us as a right, I think the demand should not be yielded
to. . . I propose not to yield an inch more, but to take a firm stand.
I am sure this is our true policy as well as "the right thing."

J. A. B. to GEO. B. TAYLOR :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Jan. 5, 1877: We are helped along, one
way and another, and have much to thank God for. I often mourn
to think of the heavy sacrifices Boyce has to make, in many ways,
and the weariness of hope deferred under which we suffer. But I
trust we are getting ready for some happy fellows to work hereafter,
with sufficient support, and Jeisure for study and production in a
strongly established and widely useful institution. No doubt that is
exactly your consolation also, in the trials and patient waiting of
your own work. I think you have succeeded well m tutoring our
people at home here to wait patiently, without losing hope or interest
in the work. They had such a wild and feverish hope of great
things, when the mission began, that I feared a reaction, notwith-
standing your temperate and wise admonitions before you went. So
far as I know, people are now quite satisfied that you are doing just
the best that can be done, and that we must work and wait. . .

Yet, doesn't it become every year a more real thing to us both,
amid all our difficulties, failures, disappointments, that " there's a
divinity that shapes our ends"— that our work is better managed
for us than we could manage ?

Every session, in our missionary society, we have up your Italian
mission, trying to make our students understand it and take lively
interest in it.

We have about as many students as for the last three sessions.
Most seminaries have fallen off, in consequence of the financial
straits and general depression.

Doctor Williams went down last spring with incipient consump-
tion. At Asheville, N. C., he got better during the summer, and he
is wintering at Aiken. But he is not well now, and I greatly fear
he will never teach again. He is a noble man, of great abilities, and
is the finest lecturer I have ever known. His lectures on Systematic
Theology, the last two or three years, were something wonderful
for clearness, terseness, power.

W. A. GELLATLY to J. A. B. :

NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 1877 : I think that to-day there is more real
union and fraternal feeling between members of the Baptist church,
North and South, than there is between the churches of any other

304 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

denomination and that the cause is, under God, largely owing to the
visits and preaching and social interviews of yourself and Curry.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ROCHESTER, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1877 : The third lecture was highly
successful, I had slept well the night before, was improving in
health, had a congenial and familiar theme, and rose pretty high.
The lecture was followed by half an hour of questions (from profes-
sors, pastors, and students) and answers, in some of which I was
quite fortunate. There are supreme moments in which all the
energies and experiences of a man are concentrated with the highest
intensity upon focal points, and it is curious how things blaze. If
I could leave to-day I suspect the stimulating effect of the course
would be greatest. So fiercely excited, I did not at once get to sleep,
though I slept very soundly, and this morning I don't feel quite so
well as yesterday.

The lectures at Rochester Seminary were free talks on
the general subject of preaching, made from carefully
prepared notes. Doctor Broadus was at his highest
power in work of this character.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 1877 : Well, the lectures are over. The
fourth, though I felt flat, was considered the best, I believe, containing
many fresh thoughts about the preacher's private life. I was anxious
and unhappy about my last topic, especially as you had opposed my
taking it. The audience was quite large, and the topic was not so
suitable to the circumstances as some had been. But the lecture was
very attentively heard and kindly received, some Pedobaptist min-
isters coming up afterwards to say pleasant things. After the lec-
tures I admitted questions at large, and we had a great time. The
question and answer feature throughout has taken admirably.

Professors Strong, Wilkinson, and Kendrick expressed themselves
in singularly strong and gratifying terms about the lectures, the
former thinking I had done the students and the Seminary important
service. So I may well be thankful.

Doctor Strong wrote March, 1895 :

He was our most persuasive preacher, and our best teacher of the
art of preaching. His work on the New Testament was the work

THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SEMINARY'S LIFE 305

of a master. The charm of his personal character can never be for-
gotten. He has done more than any other man to bind North and
South together, for the whole country loved him. He was one of
God's greatest gifts to our denomination, and to our generation.

Dr. Wm. Williams had been failing rapidly from con-
sumption. The trustees had made provision for help in
teaching this year, Dr. J. C. Hiden, then pastor at Green-
ville, helping in homiletics. Doctor Williams died Feb.
20, 1877, at Aiken, S. C. Doctor Broadus preached the
funeral sermon from the text of Williams' own choosing :
" My times are in thy hand." Doctor Broadus says :

It is vain to attempt any fitting eulogy of Williams. Besides the
high intellectual powers which have been several times referred to in
this narrative, his character was such as to command profound re-
spect and warm affection. . . Who ever knew a man more com-
pletely genuine, more thoroughly sincere, more conscientious in all
his doings?1

J. P. BOYCE to J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, March 23, 1877 : I really fear that it would be pru-
dent to stop the Seminary, let you go to Eutaw Place 2 for a couple
of years and then reopen here. I am in a great perplexity. The
brethren will not and some cannot pay.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

GREENVILLE, S. C., March 27, 1877 : I am grieved at your dis-
couragement. . . The prospect of support is gloomy, as you say.
But I don't think it would do to suspend as you suggest, in the way
of inquiry.

In May, June, and July, Doctor Broadus supplied the
Calvary Baptist Church, New York, while Doctor Mac-
Arthur was absent. He had many of this series of eigh-
teen discourses taken down by a stenographer with the
view of publishing a volume of "Calvary Sermons."
He did not write his sermons out. The experiment was

1 " Memoir of Boyce," p. 247. s Doctor Fuller was now dead.

306 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

very unsatisfactory and he found it well-nigh impossible
to whip the stenographer's report into decent shape.
There was difficulty also about a publisher and the plan
failed. Some of these sermons appeared later in the vol-
ume of "Sermons and Addresses." He was inimitable
before an audience and unreportable, to the loss of the
leading public.

Brown University, Crozer Seminary, Richmond Col-
lege, the First Church, Richmond, and Eutaw Place,
Baltimore, all clamored for Doctor Broadus's services at
a time when there was not enough money to pay the
salaries of the professors. But he could not be moved.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

CHARLOTTE TO GREENSBORO, May 17, 1877 : A great secret.
Doctor Furman told me at the train in strict confidence, that Boyce
is working to move the Seminary this fall.

NEW YORK, June 5, 1877: The die is cast, and the Seminary re-
moves to open in Louisville in September. We cross the Rubicon.
Boyce is pleased and hopeful.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

NEW YORK, July 14, 1877 : Reading what I have said, I feel like
adding, that we must both try to keep alive till, if it please God, we
can see the Seminary strong, and as safe as such things can be
made. How I should rejoice some day to shake hands with you
over the result ! You don't know how glad I am that we are to be
close together again. I feel that I know you better than my own
brother, and love you almost as well. Does it need to ask pardon
for saying this, because we are both getting gray?

CHAPTER XIV
THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE

Prompt to move, but firm to wait, —

Knowing, things rashly sought are rarely found.

— Wordsworth.

IT was a painful uprooting to leave South Carolina. It
was the Seminary's home and the ties of friendship
were very tender. The State had done nobly by the
institution and the people loved it with whole-hearted-
ness. They would have done great things for the
Seminary if they had been able. But the State was
prostrate still from the war and the reconstruction period.
There had been herculean difficulties at the first starting,
both as to men and money. The war's sudden blow
had dashed to earth the struggling school. The steps
for reviving it afterwards were slow. Rallying hopes
came and went. The professors hardly knew where
bread was to come from or how to meet their necessary
obligations. Boyce took the field and Broadus " staid
by the stuff." Each cheered the other when the dark-
est hour came. In the midst of it all a heated contro-
versy was waged from certain quarters against one of
the professors, Dr. William Williams, which only ceased
at his death from consumption, induced by overwork in
the Seminary. Boyce and Broadus battled for the Semi-
nary's life and for reasonable freedom in teaching
through the years, in face of a divided constituency and
great opposition to ministerial education in general and
theological education in particular. For five years Doc-
tor Boyce had labored to get funds and a footing in Ken-

307

308 LIFED AN LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

tucky. At last it was possible to go, but at a venture.
Will the enterprise succeed in the new atmosphere ?
Will it be worth while for Boyce and Broadus to cleave
to this child of many prayers and tears ? It is twenty
years since the Educational Convention met in Louis-
ville which set on foot the Seminary enterprise. And
now the Seminary is to be finally established here.

BASIL MANLY to J. A. B. :

GEORGETOWN, KY., Sept. 8, 1877: Greeting and welcome to
you and yours. May God bless your coming to Kentucky, and your
labors here. You will feel the changes from dear old Greenville, of
course. But that you made up your mind to before you started. I
have been all along there, and can sympathize with you fully.

ALVAH HOVEY to J. A. B. :

NEWTON CENTRE, MASS., Sept. 29, 1877 : I trust you are en-
couraged about your Seminary. To me it seems almost a miracle
that so much has been pledged in these trying times.

JULIUS C. SMITH to J. A. B. :

GREENVILLE, S. C., Sept 3, 1877 : We miss you all very much.
Trust the opening of the Seminary has been a great success. Our
hearts went up to God in prayer for you all and for our Seminary
upon the first Sunday in September, both in Sunday-school and
church. May it be blessed and prospered beyond our most sanguine
expectations.

The highest number of students at Greenville had
been sixty-seven. Instantly at Louisville the number
rose to eighty-eight. Doctor Boyce now resumed his
classes, and the work of the first session moved on in a
manner highly satisfactory to both students and pro-
fessors.

In the fall of 1877 Doctor Broadus assumed the pastoral
care of Forks of Elkhorn Church, Franklin County, Ky.,
which delightful Blue Grass pastorate he held for several
years, preaching for the church two Sundays a month.
Here many lifelong friendships were formed.

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 309

On May 7, 1878, Doctor Broadus's daughter, Annie
Harrison, was married to Rev. W. Y. Abraham, of Rock-
bridge County, Va. On May 26, 1895, Mrs. Abraham
died, leaving two children, John Broadus and Annie
Louise. Another son, Wickliffe, had died in infancy ;
while a beautiful and charming boy, Edward, lived to
be nearly two.

A friend writes: "Mrs. Abraham was a woman of
more than ordinary endowments, attractions, and force
of character. Being gifted in conversation, she readily
won friends, but it was only to those who knew her most
intimately that her chief virtues and greatest charms
were revealed. Her Christian character was simple and
beautiful."

From M. S. S. : "I have her so clearly in my mind's
eye as such a pretty child, with her large black eyes,
with fire in them, so like your father's. Ah, we shall
never see their like again."

From A. B. M. : " Sister Annie is the first of us to be
reunited with him. The relation was so ' lovely and
pleasant ' to both of them, and in their death they were
not long divided. It is a sweet thought to me that she
knew how he loved her, and was proud of her."

BISHOP W. PINKNEY to J. A. B. :

WASHINGTON, July 26, 1878 : Will you accept this little pam-
phlet, written by me in much " sorrow of soul." I send it as a slight
token of regard for one whose writings have afforded me so much
pleasure and instruction, and whose learning entitles him to the
gratitude of scholars. Should you visit Washington, I shall be
happy to take you out to my home. There is much in common
about which we could talk, and enough, I hope, of the frankness
that asks no sacrifice of principle.

In August, 1878, Doctor Broadus again preached for
the beloved North Orange Church. While there a
strong effort was made to get him as President of Vassar

310 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

College. At Newton they tried to secure him as pro^
fessor of New Testament and Homiletics. Much news-
paper writing was done for the "Chicago Standard/'
"The Examiner," "The Central Baptist," besides the
editorial correspondence for the "Religious Herald."
The additional income thus provided was much needed,
as Louisville was a more expensive place than Green-
ville and Seminary finances were very unsettled.

RICHARD NEWTON to J. A. B. :

MOUNT AIRY, PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 29, 1878 : Many thanks for

your kindness in sending me your volume of " Lectures on the His-
tory of Preaching." I shall read the lectures with great pleasure, at
the first leisure time I can command. I shall always remember with
pleasure the sweet hours spent together in counsel and study over
the lessons for 1880. I shall look forward with delight to the future
meetings of our committee.1 And when our work on earth is done
for that blessed Master "whom having not seen we love," how
glorious the fellowship of heaven will be, with its "fullness of joy
and its pleasures for evermore " ! God bless you in your work.

A. J. GORDON to J. A. B. :

BOSTON, Nov. 12, 1878: In speaking of the theological seminaries
I only gave expression to the general impression. All in this part of
the country are strongly and avowedly post- millennial, and the other
view is for the most part looked upon with great disfavor. I was
greatly delighted and surprised to learn your sentiments. . .

I accept with thanks your admonition in regard to " allegorical
interpretation." I hope I may not go astray or lead others astray. . .

When a college president standing in the orthodox ranks can
write such words as these, I give from his letter to me : " The
coming of Christ was the primitive hope, I grant, and it was the
most egre"giously mistaken hope into which the church ever fell. I
do not believe that Christ will ever come to earth in bodily form,"
ought not other men of learning to tell what they believe in regard
to "that blessed hope"?

E. C. DARGAN to J. A. B. :

BOTETOURT SPRINGS, VA., Nov. 19, 1878 : I fear your burdens
1 International Sunday-school Lesson Committee,

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 311

are largely increased by the larger number of students, and I can't
help feeling anxious for your health, as often as I think of you. Do
you keep up as well as ever?

Dmwiddie, formerly Presbyterian pastor at Gordonsville, is now
located at Big Lick, and speaks affectionately of you to me. You
helped him in his religious growth while at the university. Amid
all your difficulties and troubles, as I know you have many, it must
ever be a source of comfort to you to know that you have helped
many a man to be a Christian and a scholar.

Your influence is deeply felt by all who ever came near enough to
you to realize its worth— I see it in others, and I feel it in myself.
May God bless you and spare you a long time to us yet.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :
BALTIMORE, Dec. 9, 1878 : Delightfully at home at Mr. Ker-

foofs. Mrs. K is truly a jewel. But my judgment is that only

people who have been married nearly twenty years know how to
love each other with all the heart.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

BALTIMORE, Dec. 9, 1878 : Not very hopeful, but not despairing,
and meaning to work.1

Best regards to the ladies and to Toy and Whitsitt. People in-
quire anxiously after your health, having noted that you seemed
unwell. I reply that you are about as well as common again. My
dear friend, we are both struggling with ill health, and carrying
heavy burdens. May God sustain us, and grant that we may live
to rest a little while under the shadow of our completed work — if it
please him.

BALTIMORE, Dec. 16, 1878: We raised $10,760— besides the
$8,000. . .

This is not success, my friend, but it is far from being failure.
Few people imagined we should do so well. There was much joy
and gratitude when we closed. As a popular effort, with very great
generosity on the part of many, it is encouraging. But that other
$6,000. We cannot do without it. I shall strain every nerve, and
shall stay till the very end of the week if I can make it tell, though
I want to get home Friday if possible. . .

You will join me in giving thanks, and in praying that the hearts

1 In Baltimore , effort to increase endowment.

312 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

of men may be opened. I am tired enough, but not sick. You can
imagine what a strain it was on me last night.

JOHN STOUT to J. A, B. :

SOCIETY HILL, S, C., Jan. n, 1879: It would be hard for me to
write a merely official note to you. Gratitude and love clamor for
expression. And I find myself hoping that it is not a matter of in-
difference to you that one who owes you so much should care to tell
you that he is increasingly conscious of his debt. . .

I see you continue to do more than your share of work, and such
anxious work it must be. I sincerely hope that you and dear Doc-
tor Boyce may live to see the Seminary really endowed — and your
best expectations of its widespread usefulness fulfilled. When you
send your man to South Carolina I shall " stand by to lend a hand."
But I sometimes wonder how he will ever get what he asks for.

HOWARD COGHILL to J. A. B. :

HOTEL BRISTOL, NEW YORK, June 4, 1880 : You have proba-
bly quite forgotten that before entering college I promised to send you
any one of the Greek prizes that I might be fortunate enough to take
in order to assist in preparing some young man for the ministry. . .
This year I resolved to write for the trustees' prize offered to the
senior class for the best written essay on a prescribed subject, the
subject this year being " Communism and Socialism." . . You can
imagine my gratification on hearing the announcement that I had
taken the first prize, more especially as this prize is regarded as the
most " scholarly " one of the whole college course. And now, my
dear Doctor Broadus, though not the Greek prize, it gives me great
pleasure to send you the first money I ever made, to be used in a
noble cause and one to which I consider it an honor to be per-
mitted to send an offering. . .

Father wishes me to send you his kindest regards. He is very
busy, as we sail for Europe on the sixteenth of the month*

E. S. ALLEN to J. A. B. t

WOODRUFF, S C., Jan. 26, 1880: I deeply sympathize with you
in your efforts to place the Seminary on a permanent and useful
footing. The Baptists of the South cannot afford to let it fail. Its
importance can be imagined by what it has already done. If you
were to take from the Baptists of South Carolina those who were
prepared in that Institution and who are now preaching the words of
life to sinners, what a sad condition we would have to deplore.

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 313

In March, 1879, Doctor Broadus was one of a repre-
sentative gathering of Baptist men to meet in New York
City to consider the revision of the by-laws of the Ameri-
can Bible Society, whereby the society expressed a will-
ingness to consider new versions of the Bible in heathen
lands, without insisting on transliterating "baptize," It
was recommended that the society was once more to
receive Baptist patronage. Doctor Broadus had taken
the keenest interest in Bible revision. In the early
seventies he had written a remarkable series of articles
for the " Religious Herald " on the Bible Union revision.

B. F. WESTCOTT to J. A. B. :

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, May 18, 1880 : Allow me to thank you
for the copy of the notice of the " Speaker's Commentary " which
you have most kindly sent to me. It is a great pleasure to receive
so generous a recognition of work from America. The words of St.
John have clung to me for more than five and twenty years and I
hope that I may have been enabled to help some to make thoughts
their own which have been helpful to myself.

The revision work is now rapidly drawing to an end ; and it is
impossible not to rejoice. But it has been carried on from first to
last with a harmony and energy of purpose almost beyond hope.
The result will, I trust, bind English-speaking people closer together
in spiritual unity.

J. A. B. to MRS. B, :

ATLANTA, GA., May 10, 1879: Alas! the mournful deed is done.
Toy's resignation is accepted. He is no longer professor in the Sem-
inary. I learn that the Board were all in tears as they voted, but no
one voted against it. I cannot yet say who will be elected in his
place. . .

Poor bereaved three ; we have lost our jewel of learning, our be-
loved and noble brother, the pride of the Seminary. God bless the
Seminary, God bless Toy, and God help us, sadly but steadfastly
to do our providential duty.

In the "Memoir of Boyce " (p. 262), Doctor Broadus
says :
It was hard for Doctor Toy to realize that such teaching was

3 14 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

quite out of the question in this Institution. He was satisfied that
his views would promote truth and piety. He thought strange of
the prediction made in conversation that within twenty years he
would utterly discard all belief in the supernatural as an element of
Scripture — a prediction founded upon knowledge of his logical con-
sistency and boldness, and already m a much shorter time fulfilled,
to judge from his latest works.

" Religious Herald," May 15, 1879 (report of Southern
Baptist Convention) :

Dr. John A. Broadus moved to strike out the first and second
resolutions. He said he agreed with much that Doctor Tichenor said
in a speech, which was truly eloquent even for an Alabama brother.
But he felt it best that the conference should not be held. All that this
proposed conference can mean is a full merging of the work of this
Convention into that of the Northern societies— just what our brother
said he did not mean. Doctor Broadus loved to go North and loved
to speak for their objects. There is no need to talk of a bloody
chasm. As matters now stand, we are not responsible for what at
the North we object to, and they are not responsible for what at the
South they object to, but put us together and a good many of us
might object, and the old feeling might again be revived. Things
are working well ; it is a marvel how good feeling is growing. We
are not doing our duty in giving, but a union at present would lead
us to give less. We would look to the North for help rather than
help ourselves. We should have less good feeling and less money
(from our own churches) and, therefore, I object to this action. . .

The vote was then taken, and Doctor Broadus7 s amendment was
adopted by a vote of one hundred and seventy-four to sixty-eight,
after which the rest of the report was unanimously adopted.

After a round of commencement addresses at Wake
Forest and Richmond Colleges, Doctor Broadus again
spent July and August with the North Orange Church,
with excursions to Saratoga, etc. Dr. C. H. Ryland
writes of the Richmond College address on Demosthenes :

The college chapel was packed with an ehte and brilliant audience.
Governor F. W. M. Holliday had been chosen by the two societies
to preside. In closing his opening address Governor Holliday said :
" It has been many years, how many I need not stop to number,

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 315

since the gentleman, who will presently address you, and I, met upon
the platform on a similar occasion. It was at our own State Uni-
versity. He then presided ; I was the speaker and we were both
young like yourselves and full of the same emotions which I doubt
not now animate you. Our callings have been different, our homes
far apart, and we have grown gray since then. Our country has gone
through the throes of a great and terrible Civil War, and hence strange
and varied vicissitudes of fortune have fallen upon us both. Of my-
self I need not speak, that is of no interest. Of him it does me good
to say that his life has been a triumph, because he from the start
looked upon life as profoundly real, and whilst he has walked his
onward and upward way he did his daily work, whether great or
small, in sorrow or in joy, with a single eye, in all humility, open-
ing the windows of his soul that its chambers might be filled with
celestial light."

Many thought Doctor Broadus's lecture on Demos-
thenes the greatest production of his life. " It was the
result of profound and sympathetic study of Greek his-
tory, language, and literature, and showed personal in-
terest in the struggles and triumphs of the Greek people."

J. H. THAYER to J. A. B. :

ANDOVER, MASS., July 31, 1879: Allow me to return you my
tardy thanks for your letter of the thirtieth ult., and also for the val-
uable documents which accompanied it. The article in the "Bibli-
otheca " l to which you refer can hardly have been written by any
member of our faculty, and I am sorry that in Professor Park's (the
editor's) absence from town I have been as yet unable to ascertain
its author. But I will take the earliest opportunity of calling his at-
tention to the able discussion by Doctor Boyce of the same topic
nearly a quarter of a century ago.

Notwithstanding the explanations you urge, it is indeed strange
that we know so little of what has been done and is doing in your
part of the country. And just here permit me to return thanks for
your very interesting sketch of Doctor Harrison ; a noteworthy man
about whom I had hitherto been able to get only meagre accounts.
In fact, it is only about ten years since I first heard of his elaborate
work on the prepositions with their cases, and months elapsed before
I could obtain a copy ; for I could find no Boston bookseller who had
i On " Elective System in Theological Education."

316 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

ever heard of it, and I did not know by whom it was published. It
is to be hoped that those days of comparative isolation are past.

Doctor Broadus had come to be in great demand in
Louisville as a preacher in the churches of all evan-
gelical denominations. His power in Louisville grew
with the years till a church could with difficulty hold
the audiences which flocked to hear him, men of all creeds
and none, the ablest lawyers, bankers, merchants, phy-
sicians, who felt that here was a man who had something
to say worth hearing and said with matchless simplicity,
sincerity, charm, and power. The preacher swayed a
kingly scepter over the hearts of Louisville. Doctor
Boyce used to say that if the five great living preachers
were named, Broadus would have to be included. From
this period of Doctor Broadus's life the demands grew
incessant for preaching in all the great cities, for dedica-
tions, for Chautauquas, for supplies, for pastor. On Nov.
6, 1879, he preached the dedication sermon for the Second
Church, St. Louis.

J. A. B. to S. S. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., Dec. 3, 1879: A banquet last Wednesday
night in honor of Dr. J. Lawrence Smith. Some sixty sat down,
including many of our leading men. I spoke for " The Church,"
and folks said it was a good speech. The thing was suggested by
Doctor Boyce, managed by Doctor Warder, and conducted by Mr.
Henry Watterson and Mr. Isaac Caldwell.

J. A. B. to W. A. GELLATLY :

LOUISVILLE, KY., March 23, 1880 : Yours received. I confess my-
self not a little gratified that the North Orange Church have not got
tired of me, as they well might have done. And I like much better
to preach to old acquaintances than to strangers.

J. L. M. CURRY to J. A. B.:

RICHMOND, VA., March 29, 1880 : The First Church will celebrate
its Centennial Anniversary on the eighth and ninth of June, im-
mediately after our General Association. The church desires you to

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 317

preach on the night of the ninth a sermon, not exactly on " The
Church of the Future," but on the future of the First Baptist Church.
All previous pastors, living, of the church are invited and expected
to be present, and you were once a temporary supply.

I shouted when I read the telegram about Governor Brown.1 . .
You ought not to die without writing out that address on Demos-
thenes.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ALEXANDRIA, VA., June 5, 1880: On Monday I must decide
whether to attend the First Church centennial which I shall probably
conclude not to do, unless brother shall be better.

J. A B. to J. M. BROADUS :

CHICAGO,2 June 22, 1880 : I am trying to spend a quiet week.
What I really want is such rest as I used to get when coming from
Charlottesville to your home in Culpeper, and lying on a counter-
pane, under a big tree in the yard, where I could read myself to sleep,
and waking could watch the sunlight playing through the outer
branches, and sometimes hear a bird sing, and having nothing to do
could be utterly indifferent as to doing that. It is hard to get per-
fectly quiet in the midst of Chicago.

My love to all. God be gracious to you, brother. It is my daily
prayer that you may be lifted up, if it be his will, and it is my daily
comfort to remember that you seemed to feel about it all so exactly
as I would wish you to feel.

J. WM. JONES to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., July 30, 1880 : I need not assure you that I, in
common with thousands of others, have deeply sympathized with
you in the loss of dear brother Madison, whose death is indeed a
public calamity.

J. A. B. to J. C. G. BROADUS : 8

ORANGE/ N. J., Aug. 14, 1880: Your letter received, and I am
glad you have got to work. I beg to offer you, offhand, a few
points :

( i) From the beginning, be at your desk from two to four minutes
before the hour, every morning — perfectly punctual.

1 Governor Brown had given fifty thousand dollars to the Seminary endowment,
saving- the life of the Seminary at another crisis. See account in "Memoir of
Boyce."

2 Supplying First Church. 8 Son of J. M. Broadus. 4 Again supplying here.

3l8 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

(2) Give your whole mind to whatever work you are doing. If
it is merely adding rows of figures, or copying reports, try every
time to get it exactly right, without a single mistake. And never
turn over your work till you have carefully examined it, to see if
there is the slightest mistake. Make it a matter of ambition, of
official fidelity and honor, to do your work well.

(3) Be very careful about your private habits and your associates.
" A man is judged from the company he keeps." If some young
fellow has a doubtful reputation, even though you think he does not
deserve it, better give him a wide berth. Above all things, eschew
the notions of concealment and deception which so many lads have.
Be absolutely truthful. . . Let there be nothing in your life that you
would not be willing your mother should know. Young men often
think and say, " Oh ! people need never find it out." But people
do, and older men often know things about the young that they do
not choose to tell. And, besides, when a man attempts to maintain
practices or companionships he must conceal from those he loves,
such concealment involves deception, and damages his character in
its very foundations.

(4) Remember your Creator, the God of your widowed mother,
the God whose grace enabled your now sainted father to become the
man he was.

As long as I live, if you are doing well, my boy, I shall rejoice for
your dear father's sake as well as for my own.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., Sept. 16, 1880 : Senior Greek class the largest
I have ever had— Doctor Boyce also attending it. Homiletics too is
larger than heretofore. Both these agreeable facts mean more work
in correcting exercises. But it is a very great relief to be rid of the
Student's Fund. •

NEW YORK,1 Feb. 14, 1881 : Nothing really accomplished yet,
and prospects not brilliant, but not desperate.

You will doubtless know of Doctor Boyce's coming on, to be here
Vmorrow morning, in consequence of my telegrams to him. . .

I feel much burdened with my great and difficult task. . . It is
one of the great crises of my life- work. Boyce's coming will divide
the responsibility with me. May Providence direct/ And may
every blessing rest upon the dear wife and children from whom I
find it every year a greater trial to be separated,

i In New York to raise endowment for the Seminary.

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 319

NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 1881 : . . I assure you I do not feel it amiss
to approach these gentleman. I succeed as well in my line of work
as they do in theirs. They can help me to be useful and I can help
them to be useful. If they do not know of my work and seek to
share in it, I will seek them. If they decline I have done my best.
May the matter be guided from on high.

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 1881 : Our success must tremble in the
balance for several days to come. I feel very quiet this afternoon
and am trying to trust calmly in Providence. . . Some folks would
think it a very pleasant thing to be in New York with nothing to
do— nothing but wait and tremble with blended hope and fear, and
think of the classes I cannot be teaching, and the book I cannot
write.

But I really am so anxious that I can't enjoy even a bookstore
very much. I will try to be less anxious. " In nothing be anxious ;
but in everything, by prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known unto God ; and the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your
thoughts in Christ Jesus." What healing, sustaining words I Let
us try, my dearie, to feel that way. God help us.

Some forty thousand dollars was then given in New
York for the Seminary endowment. This amount added
to the fifty thousand given by Governor Joseph E. Brown,
of Georgia, saved the day for the Seminary. Men of
means were now willing to invest in the institution, be-
lieving in its stability. It was at last certain that the
Seminary would live, after twenty-three years of un-
certainty. Rev. G. W. Riggan was added to the faculty
in 1881. Doctor Manly had already, in 1879, come back
from Georgetown to join hands with Boyce, Broadus,
and Whitsitt in building upon the firm foundation at last
laid in Louisville.

On coming to Louisville, Doctor Broadus and his family
had joined the Walnut Street Church, where he was a
most efficient member. Dr. J. W. Warder, the pastor,
became State Secretary of Missions in 1880, and in May,
1881, Dr. T. T. Eaton entered upon his work as pastor

320 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

of the church. Among his many warm friends in this
church and with whom he delighted to labor, were Dr.
Wm. B. Caldwell and his brother Junius Caldwell, who
were among its ' ' chief pillars " until their death. They,
with Dr. Arthur Peter, had been largely instrumental in
building Walnut Street Church.

On May 25, 1881, Doctor Broadus delivered a re-
markable address "On Reading the Bible by Books/'
before the International Convention of the Young Men's
Christian Association at Cleveland, Ohio. This address
was published in tract form by the International Com-
mittee and appears also in sermons and addresses. The
following winter, Richard C. Morse, of New York, wrote:

It gives me great pleasure to send you a package containing copies
of your Cleveland address. The large edition printed last summer
is nearly exhausted, such has been the demand for it.

BASIL MANLY l to J. A. B. :

LEIPZIG, GERMANY, June 15, 1881 : So far as I can see, there is
an almost universal ignoring of anything, in theology, at least, be-
yond the confines of Germany. In the University Reading Room,
which I have joined and where perhaps two hundred publications
are taken (fee $1.35 for the semester), I find some of the American
Theological Reviews and Journals, very few French, and scarcely
any English, Nor does there seem to be any disposition to inquire
into matters or researches beyond the channel, except in some special
topics, as in Assyriology, etc. It is quietly assumed that there is
nothing worth seeking for there. Even the "Revised New Testa-
ment'1 has only reached here this week, and then I believe by
special orders. I brought a copy with me, but so far as I know,
mine was the only copy in the city for two weeks or more, nearly a
month after it was issued.

... Of the six regular Lutheran churches, I have attended the
three most popular. On an ordinary Sunday, fair, pleasant day
with no special attraction or preacher or feast day, it is safe to say
the congregation would not exceed five hundred at any of these, and
would hardly average three hundred. I have attended several times

1 Doctor Manly spent the summer in Germany.

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 321

where there were not more than one hundred or a hundred and fifty.
Meanwhile the theatres, beer gardens, and cafes are crowded, Sunday
being their harvest day ; the parks and promenades are crowded. . .
I heard from well-informed persons that there were no Sunday-
schools— but have more recently found that there are three or four,
and I am going to hunt one of them up next Sunday. The Bible is
studied in school every day ; but after leaving school it is to a painful
degree laid aside, with the grammar and the spelling book. But the
people are all Christians, good church-workers, made so in their in-
fancy; and without a"schew" or certificate of their confirmation,
they find it difficult to get entrance into the public schools; they
could not by law till recently, I believe. The church has taken the
whole community into its fold, and all are lambs, no wolves, no out-
siders, no world. The church and the world are one ; but as it is
sometimes said that man and wife are one, the question remains,
which one?

B. F. WESTCOTT to J. A. B. :

PREBENDAL HOUSE, PETERBOROUGH, ENGLAND, July 19,
1 88 1 : Allow me to thank you for sending me a copy of your re-
marks on the Revised Version which, if I may venture to say so,
seem to me to be singularly wise and just. It cannot but be pleasing
to English scholars to find their woik so received in America, even
where in details national feeling may be against it.

The mass of English criticism has hitherto, if I may judge from
what I hear, for I avoid reading, been very unintelligent, but the
general reception of the work has been far more favorable than
could have been hoped. Perhaps more serious attacks may be m
preparation. By this time the text which Doctor Hort and I have
prepared will probably be in your hands. Copies of the plates were
sent to New York by Messrs. Macmillan. The introduction will
follow very shortly, but the short Antelegomena will give a scholar
all the guidance he needs.

I happened to preach in our college chapel on the Sunday after
the publication of the Revised version and naturally said a few
words which the young men had printed. You will sympathize, I
think, with the expression of the larger interests which are involved
in the publication.

May this work be allowed to contribute to a fuller and deeper
knowledge of the truth. That is all we ask.

J. B. LIGHTFOOT to J. A. B. :

AUCKLAND CASTLE, ENGLAND, Aug. 26, 1881 : I beg to thank

v

322 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

you for the criticisms on the Revised version, which I received from
you a short time ago. I admired their appreciation and good sense.
Alas ! I do not know what may be the probabilities of the future,
but at present I find myself wholly unable to touch Commentary.

A H. NEWMAN to J. A. B. :

ROCHESTER, N. Y., Aug. 18, 1881 : Our work in Toronto will
begin in a most hopeful way. I have there all that I could desire in
the way of opportunity for work. The only difficulty is that there
is too much of it You have doubtless learned from our prospectus
that we adopted substantially your arrangement of studies. The
Canadian brethren are delighted with it. I trust you may feel it
practicable to accept the invitation to deliver the opening address in
October.1

During 1882 Doctor Broadus wrote in the " Examiner "
notes on the Sunday-school lessons, which were from the
Gospel of Mark. Doctor Broadus as a member of the
International Lesson Committee (since 1878 and re-
elected till his death) had become active in Sunday-
school affairs. He wrote much for the " Sunday School
Times." The First Church in Chicago was seeking him
as pastor, but he had found his work.

J. C. CRANBERRY to J. A. B. :

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, June 2, 1882: I thank

you for your prompt letter of congratulation and kind wishes. I
have enjoyed my work as a teacher, and cannot anticipate so com-
fortable an experience hereafter. Travel and making new acquant-
ances have not much charm for me. But I trust I shall be able to
serve the church usefully, and that is what we prize the most highly.
I have used your work on " Preaching" as a text-book with great
satisfaction, and my classes have admired it, and expressed their in-
debtedness to it, with an enthusiasm which must be gratifying to
any author. I have been accustomed to read to them copious ex-
tracts from your lectures on the history of preaching. I had an op-
portunity to express my appreciation of these works in an article on
Oosterzee's "Practical Theology" which was published in our
" Quarterly " two years ago.

1 Doctor Broadus delivered this address at the dedication of McMaster University,

THE FIRST YEARS IN LOUISVILLE 323

J. W. JONES to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., July 24, 1882 : I have decided that Carter shall
go to the Seminary next session. . ,

He preached his first sermon yesterday and seemed to give great
satisfaction to the large congregation who heard him.

I thank you for your kind letter. It is indeed a subject of con-
gratulation that Carter has decided to preach, and that I am able to
place him under the charge of my dear old professors, to whom I
owe so much and in whom I have such implicit confidence.

I have not failed for years to pray every day " God bless the Sem-
inary," and the prayer will be none the less fervent when my own
boy is there.1

During 1882 Doctor Broadus did much preaching, act-
ing as supply four months at the Broadway Church,
Louisville, and also at Emmanuel Church, Brooklyn, and
North Orange again, Calvary, New York, Immanuel,
Chicago, etc. He was doing a prodigious amount of work
these years, full labor in the Seminary and more, news-
paper writing in large quantities, almost as much preach-
ing as a regular pastor, besides lectures and efforts to
raise money for the Seminary. His health again trem-
bled in the balance, but the White Sulphur and the Raw-
ley Springs steadied him over the crisis.

J. D. ROCKEFELLER to J. A. B. :

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 1882: I regret to hear of your ill health.
Would it not be better for you to go away and take a little vacation ? .

We are all very well. Will be very pleased to see you when you
come North. I am pleased to hear of the increase in the number of
students.

Doctor Broadus took this good advice and through his
friend's substantial kindness spent three weeks of this
winter in New Orleans in company with Mrs. Broadus.
He reveled in the balmy air of this interesting historic
city, and long felt the refreshing effects of the rest.

1 Doctor Jones himself was one of the first students at Greenville and now sent
the Seminary's first " grandson "

CHAPTER XV
MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE

BY ALICE BROADUS MITCHELL.

More homelike seems the vast unknown
Since he has entered there.

— J. W. CbadiulcJt.

E first time I ever saw my father was when one day
1 as a child I watched him stand at a mirror to brush
his hair. I noticed how dark and shining his hair was,
and then glanced down at his face. He had a look of
keen, interested thought, as if working out some idea
that was of use to him. His brow and eye and lips mov-
ing with thought came to me like a vision and I seemed
to realize who it was that lived among us. I looked
timidly at his reflection in the mirror, and thought, "I
must be better than I have been, with him for a father."
Even a child could see that his home-life showed his
best personality. When we heard him preach, or talk
in other circles, what he said never seemed in different
character from his home-self, but only something more
from the same source. He had very winsome ways in
dealing with children. Any duty would be presented as
something to be undertaken with cheerful ardor, and his
own example in this was always a tonic. When we
were quite small, he once called us all about him and
told us the meanings of our names, — that this child's
name meant "Light," and she must be a sunbeam,
cheering and helping all she touched ; this one was a
324

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 325

" Princess," and she must be noble and gentle and gen-
erous ; another's name meant " Strong," and another's
" Asked of God," and so on round the little group, with
his tone sprightly, yet wistful too.

In talking with children, he thought it worth while to
answer their questions, and, as he put it, to " talk sense "
to them. I remember his explaining before I was ten
years old the difference between a rule and a principle,
and how it seems more convenient to go by rules, but is
better to live by principles. He used to put things to us
in such a clear and simple way that we would wonder
how they could ever have perplexed us. One of us came
in from school one day and asked him if it was right to try
to get ahead of other scholars so as to be the best in a
class. He answered, " It is right to try to do better than
they, but it would be wrong to try to keep them from
doing well, or to begrudge their success."

He began the most wholesome lessons with us when
we were very young. When we went to live in Louis-
ville, he took three of us down town one day and showed
us the fruit and candy and toy stores, but without buy-
ing anything, saying in a cheerful, philosophic tone that
people who come to live in a city must learn to see a
great many attractive things spread out with no thought
of buying them if they cannot afford it. On the other
hand, he was generous about not only our needs, but
any special advantages or pleasures that he could give
us, such as joining some private class, taking lessons in
embroidery, or keeping up a tennis court. There was a
special smile of readiness and courtesy with which he
would hand us the money for these things. Any re-
quest that he made of us, from childhood up, was in a
tone and manner that kept our self-respect and made us
feel in the happiest relation with him. He called fiom
the front door one day to one of his daughters and asked

326 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

if she meant to do any more copying that evening. She
replied that she would come at once. " Oh ! " he said
with solicitous courtesy, " judge for yourself about that ;
I only meant that I had gotten the second lecture ready
and wanted to tell you before I went out." A winter in
Greenville is remembered, when some of the little ones
were not always ready for breakfast. He said he should
like every morning to hear a gentle tap at his door and
the voice of each one, from the eldest to the youngest,
saying, " Seven o'clock, papa." The sound of their musi-
cal scale and the merriment at his door, never failed to
bring them a cheery word of response.

His reverence for women was especially shown in his
own household, and his manner toward us had always a
charm of deference and courtesy. One winter, when
both the sons were away, he said playfully : " I want you
ladies to understand that whenever you need an escort,
or any service where a man can be of use, I am still
doing business at the old stand." Toward mother he
was most chivalrous of all, and his very tone in speaking
to her was different from what he used with others. He
consulted her in everything that he wrote and did, and
relied upon her judgment and wonderful sense of fitness
with grateful and loving appreciation.

Christmas Day was the one morning of the year when
we were sure of having our busy father to ourselves. We
did not usually have a tree, but the mysterious packages
were arranged upon a table. Each one of the household
would have ready a Christmas poem to recite, ranging
all the way from " 'Twas the Night before Christmas "
to Milton's " Hymn on the Nativity." One year a rickety
little platform was made by the little brother as a rostrum
for the recitations, and some of the elders declined to
use it. When papa's turn came he stepped upon it with
a smile and then clasping his hands reverently, repeated

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 327

Addison's hymn beginning, " When all thy mercies, O
my God." He always distributed the presents himself
and read aloud the rhymes that we delighted to put with
them. We were radiant at hearing his voice give so
much expression to our little jingles. This way of keep-
ing Christmas was never given up, and as we began to
be older we used to be astonished to hear other grown
people say that they " didn't care for Christmas, it was
only a day for children." It was not until we had lost
him that we realized what had given the day its ecstasy
through all the years.

With all his tenderness and the pleasure he took in
mingling in his children's pursuits, my father did not
" make himself a child" with us. We always felt for
him a reverence and even a sort of awe that we com-
pared instinctively to living "in the fear of God." He
was very far from the sentimental attitude of some
who hold that all of a child's instincts are good and to be
respectfully indulged. He required children to obey
rightful authority and be diligent and trustworthy, but
he never posed as himself infallible and despising their
weakness and mistakes. He used to say candidly that
our parents' advice was not always sure to be right, but
that mother and father were our best friends, with more
experience than we, and that we ought to value and
trust what they told us. If we were too young to judge
for ourselves and still unwilling to be guided by our
parents, then obedience must be enforced. Faults for
which he had no sort of toleration were laziness and self-
indulgence, and his keen comments showed these to be
at the bottom of many a difficulty. When one of us
lamented at having started late in the session with a
certain study and finding all sorts of mysterious troubles
in keeping up with the class, he said with a twinkling
smile, " I suspect that all those troubles will vanish if

328 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

you get up the first part of the book thoroughly." Then
his eye flashed as he added, " Resolve to get the better
of your drawbacks and make a superb success. Take
on a large stock of perseverance and renew it before it
ever gives out, and let no one in the class do better than
you."

He used often to remark upon the wealth of delightful
books that are written for young people now, and tell us
what made up his supply when he was a boy. His
Christmas and birthday presents to us were almost always
some book, chosen with especial care. At the beginning
of our school sessions he would look over our new school
books with the greatest interest, and show us what pains
the authors had taken to make things clear and interest-
ing to us, and what beautiful maps and illustrations they
had. I recall his looking at a diagram of Caesar's Bridge
in a boy's new edition of Caesar, and exclaiming, " What
a boon this drawing would have been to me when I
was struggling to understand the bridge ! You'll be a
lazy fellow if you don't make short work of it." We sat
by his study table to learn our lessons in the evening,
and he would usually be writing at the desk at one end.
He would stop his work at any moment to explain a
point to us or to open before us a good reference in some
other book. When in our school-work we were given
some subject to investigate and report upon, we were
inclined simply to "ask papa," as being pleasanter than
looking it up in books. We used to wonder at the defer-
ence he showed the dictionary and cyclopedia, and the
affectionate zeal with which he would sometimes say :
" We are fortunate in having the very book that can tell
us best about it." Then he would supplement what the
books said and encourage us to express our own ideas,
and somehow every subject that we remember talking
of with him, has a life in it to-day that nothing else is

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 329

like. One of us asked one day how it is that the weather
probabilities are made out. He replied: "How should
you suppose ? " and when the child made no effort to
think it out, he said a little sternly : "You ought to be
able to form some idea." The way in which the ex-
planation flashed into the child's mind at his reproof,
was an instance of one of his ways of educating. We
formed the habit pretty early of thinking over a subject,
when we could, before presenting it to him, and some-
times privately applying first to the cyclopedia and then
demurely making very respectable replies to his ques-
tionings.

When one of his daughters was about twelve years
old, he told her that there was a poet whom he liked to
read, named William Shakespeare, and he thought she
would like him too. Then he got down the volume that
contained " Henry IV." and explained the history, going
over with her the list of persons in the play. " Now,"
he said, "suppose you read the first Act to-day, and if
you come across any lines that you think are pretty, put
a mark by them, so, v, and after supper come into my
study and read them to me." The child did so, and
after she had read her selections, he pointed out two or
three more, saying, " Here are some others that I like."
Thus they went on from evening to evening, till she
was fairly launched in Shakespeare.

When the youngest child was learning to read, it was
decided that he needed a spelling-book, and the little
nine-year-old sister, who was helping mother to teach
him, went down town with her father to choose the book.
She looked at every speller in Dearing's bookstore,
while the father stood patiently by, but she thought
none of them would do. "Well," he said cheerily,
" let's try down on Main Street." The little girl turned
over all of Morton's spelling-books, and said at last that

330 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

she could write lists of words in a blank book that would
be just what she wanted. " Ah ! " he said, " like other
professors, you decide to make your own text-book."
There was no part of his home-life that meant more
to us than his talk at the table, which was so informing,
genial, and sympathetic. It was a marvel to see how
with all that absorbed his thoughts, he could join with
the fullest interest in any topic that came up — books
that any of us were reading, happenings at school, the
entertainment the evening before, fashions, politics, and
any news of what was going on in the world. Some-
times, and especially at breakfast, when he had just
been reading the morning paper, he would give us a brief
explanation of the current political situations, so that we
might follow them with a better understanding. Then
from day to day he would allude to what went on, with
a spirited interest which implied that the doings of Russia
or Germany or China concerned each one of us. He
said sometimes that he should like to take a New York
daily for its political news, but knew that he would
spend more time in reading it than he could afford.

One of the things my father most enjoyed was to
have guests in his home. Something in his delicate
courtesy made them feel that it was an exquisite pleas-
ure to him to have them there. He seemed to lay aside
every care and refresh himself with the pleasant inter-
change of talk. I have seen him with a party of young
people, set them going, and then lean back with a happy
smile and listen to their sparkling talk. Old friends gave
the best joy of all and he delighted to converse with
those in the full tide of affairs ; but all who came had
something congenial to him and he was alert to learn
from their experience and point of view. I remember
how as children our playmate guests were treated
with a charming consideration that made our hearts

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 331

swell with pleasure. He abundantly observed the in-
junction, " Be not forgetful to entertain strangers/'
and often we found them "angels unawares." At the
same time, he emphasized the importance of what is
sometimes overlooked — keeping in touch with those
whose society is an advantage and improvement to us.
I think he made hospitality something of more moment
than it is usually reckoned at, and it became no small
feature of his life.

All his life my father made time for reading widely
and deeply, and his books were his dearest possessions.
He denied himself many other things to secure the best
"tools" for his work, and paid a genuine homage to
their significance. If one of his books was mislaid, our
oldest sister was the one always called on to find it. She
kept in mind where they all belonged and had grown up
along with their gradual acquisition, so that her associa-
tion with them was near and dear. Her being at home
with Latin and Greek — which papa had himself taught
her when she was a child — was a help to him in a num-
ber of his undertakings.

He encouraged our reading aloud in the family circle,
and this grew to be one of the great pleasures of our
home-life, books of biography being the greatest treat
of all. It was seldom that he had time himself to join
us, but now and then he would read to my mother for
a while in the evening. Sometimes he would translate
aloud from Plato's " Phasdo," and on Sunday afternoons,
in the hour just before supper, was fond of reading to us
all from the " Library of Religious Poetry." One sum-
mer he stayed at home to work on the memoir of Doc-
tor Boyce, and formed the plan of writing all the morn-
ings and nominally resting for the balance of the day.
Just after dinner, we would all go into his study and he
would read to us for half an hour from Mr. Warner's

332 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

"My Summer in a Garden." Books which the rest of
us were reading aloud and would discuss at table, he
said he was reading by proxy. I recall especially his in-
terest in this way in the life of Agassiz and that of Haw-
thorne and his wife, and his reviving old recollections
tof Cooper's novels when his youngest boy was reading
them.

At morning prayers, his reading of the Bible seemed
to me better to express "the sacred page" than any
other I ever heard. He usually read some book by
course, making comments as he went along, and I re-
member the eager interest with which as a child I would
put my chair in place to hear the next instalment in the
history of Joseph or of David. With all his analysis and
practical application, there was a reverence in his look
and voice which made reading the Bible indeed an act of
worship. In reading the conversation with Nicodemus
and with the woman at the well, I used to fancy that
the tones natural to him were just those which the
Saviour had used. So also his voice still echoes in
" Lazarus ! Come forth ! " and in Christ's saying to the
woman in the garden, "Mary." At one time, he used
to select every Sunday afternoon a hymn for each of us
to learn by heart and repeat to him. Once two of us
came to repeat "Jesus, Lover of my Soul," and were
mortified that we would both " forget what came next."
He took the book and kindly pointed out how that hymn
is made up of short phrases which have not much natural
connection to help the memory, and so we would have
to take special pains in learning it. He sometimes chose
long poems for us to get by heart, and liked to hear us
repeat " John Gilpin," " The May Queen," and " Gray's
Elegy."

The trips we took with him at various times are
among the brightest memories of our lives. Many happy

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 333

summers were spent by us all at " Locust Grove," the
fine old home of my mother's girlhood. Papa and our
grandmother had a beautiful relation of mutual under-
standing and appreciation, and felt the deepest satisfac-
tion in being together. He often found it refreshing to take
excursions with us on the street car to one of Louisville's
suburban parks, there walking about and climbing the
hills. He enjoyed the autumn foliage at these places
especially, and the golden air of Indian summer. At
one spot he brought stones and made a little bridge for
my mother's convenience, naming it for her the Char-
lotte Bridge.

Some of the most characteristic memories that I have
of my father are those connected with his letter-writing.
He sometimes dictated answers to twenty or twenty-five
letters in an evening, and suiting their varied require-
ments brought all his qualities into such play that it was
delightful to be with him. It was interesting to see how
he had cultivated the power of writing a few discrimina-
ting, comprehensive lines that were all-sufficient and
saved his time. Yet, where the case required it, he
spared no pains to turn a matter over in his mind for
days and weeks, considering it from all points of view.

He grew to like the click of the typewriter, saying it
stimulated his thoughts and made him feel that the work
was getting done. He usually sat at his desk with a
file of outspread letters at his left hand, the longer ones
having such paragraphs as needed special reply marked
with a blue pencil. Sometimes when writing difficult
letters he would pace up and down the room for a while
with his hands behind him, "thinking hard," as he ex-
pressed it. In other moods, he would stroll about while
he dictated, absently fingering the books on the table,
or meditatively brushing the hearth, or looking through
the slats of the blinds, whistling softly to himself. Then

334 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

presently he would turn around with the phrase he had
been shaping all complete and exact. He seemed to find
peculiar satisfaction in hitting on a phrase that expressed
just what he meant, and I have often seen some little
instance of this refresh him to renew the attack on the
great mass of letters which he dared not allow to accu-
mulate any longer.

I used to wish that those who received the letters
could but hear the tones in which they were given. It
would have softened many a disappointment if the
readers could have known how courteously and sincerely
the regrets had been spoken ; and I often felt that his
most lucid explanations in other letters would fail of their
full effect because they must be received without the
commentary of his voice. As I think of my father's
voice now I realize that his whole character and life
flowed into its richness and meaning.

The letter-writing was only one small incident in his
day's work, and he usually came to it fagged from the
strain of what had gone before, but he went through the
task faithfully and cheerfully. When we did now and
then actually "find the bottom " of that letter drawer,
he always had a jest and a smile to greet it.

I recall with gratitude the letters he often received
from old students, whose expressions of love and rever-
ence were very dear to him.

Sometimes in writing to a confrere about a piece of
literary work or some committee engagement, he would
turn into a brief aside of reminiscence or raillery or warm
congratulation. Such moments of intercourse with a
kindred spirit were among his greatest enjoyments ; and
especially was this true in conversation, where his mind
could receive as well as give forth, and where the
air was rife with sympathy and stimulus. Blessings on
all who cheered and refreshed his thoughts ; and bless-

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER'S HOME-LIFE 335

ings too on those who turned to him for help, for he
knew no higher joy than to do good.

"Busy" seems no adequate word for what his life
always was. We often waited for weeks, to get a
chance for ten minutes' talk with him about something
important, and then if such a time seemed to have come,
had no heart to interfere with his first moment for rest.
He could never have accomplished so much if it had not
been for the system with which he made his plans and
carried them out, and the care he observed about exer-
cise and the other laws of health, so as to keep himself m
working order. In his last years, the pressure of mat-
ters that he could not delegate to others became cruelly
heavy, and he sometimes said himself that he was work-
ing within an inch of his life.

The older children he had taught himself, but as the
years went on, the younger ones felt his influence in less
direct fashion. He used to say sometimes with a half-
smile, " The shoemaker's children go barefoot, and the
professor's children don't know anything." Perhaps,
though, he was not unconscious that at least our stand-
ards of life were formed in the atmosphere of his. Our
first ideas of man's relation to God and the meaning of
life, the sacredness of marriage, the unquestioned duty
of doing the best we knew, we could see later on had
really come from him.

He wrote once in an autograph album for one of his
children, "It will take you all your life to know how much
I love you." Small wonder that to each of us, our least
inadequate conception of God is to think of him "like as
a father,"

CHAPTER XVI

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY
Hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.

—Scott.

AT last the Seminary rested on solid ground. But as
yet, there Avas no building for lectures or dormi-
tory. The number of students was growing. Now in
1882-1883 it was one hundred and twenty. Most of
this increase came from Kentucky, which had sent but
few men to Greenville. Louisville proved more accessi-
ble to the Southwest and West also, and by degrees the
North began to send students, and even Canada. Vir-
ginia did not lessen her interest in the Seminary. For a
number of years Virginia and South Carolina furnished
one-half or a third of the men at Greenville. These two
States have still steadily shown their loyalty to the Sem-
inary since coming to Louisville. Soon Doctor Broadus
found himself confronting large classes that at last gave
full scope for his magnificent powers as teacher. But he
had nevertheless given his best to the small classes
through all the years at Greenville. If he could only have
had large classes all his previous life ! But, though fifty-
five years old, he was in his prime and glory now. Oh, the
rapture of the days when one could hear Broadus lecture
in New Testament English or in Homiletics ! It was
worth a day's journey to any man. He was a consum-
mate scholar, of the widest reading and the most thorough
assimilation. He studied the sources of things and worked
through everything for himself. To Anglo-Saxon, Latin,
Greek, and Hebrew, he had added German, French,
336

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY 337

Spanish, Italian, Gothic, Coptic, and modern Greek. He
had made himself a specialist in homiletics, in the Eng-
lish Bible, in New Testament history, exegesis, in Greek,
in textual criticism, in patristic Greek, and hymnology
(English and foreign). His " Preparation and Delivery
of Sermons " had become the standard and most popular
work on the subject. Prof. W. C. Wilkinson, of the
University of Chicago, speaks of it as "on the whole,
the best single treatise existing on its subject. This
judgment is one neither hastily formed nor extravagantly
expressed. It is a conviction arrived at after long and
careful comparative consideration of the principal works
in any language that could be regarded as rival claim-
ants for the praise bestowed." l

M. L. GORDON to J. A. B. :

KIOTO, JAPAN, May 23, 1883 : We desire to use your most valu-
able work, ** Preparation and Delivery of Sermons " as a text-book
in our training school (American Board's Mission). . .

We have two theological classes in our school ; one whose mem-
bers know nothing of English, and another whose members read
English very well. In instructing the former I have always made use
of your book and I wish to use it more fully and thoroughly with the
latter class.

He was also one of the greatest preachers of his age.
It was the rare combination of scholar, teacher, preacher
that met you in the classroom. More than all this, there
was a witchery or magnetism that entranced you. If
the subject was the Greek article, you felt that that was
the line of destiny for you. Go and master the article.
If it was English accent and spelling, you had a longing
to hunt up the history of English words. If it was a
scene in the life of Christ, the whole wondrous picture
came before you. You found yourself living with the
throngs around the Nazarene. If you exposed your

* " The Biblical World," May, 1895.
W

338 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

ignorance by a simple, if not presumptuous question, the
quick flash of the eye, the kindly smile, the sympathetic
voice put you en rapport. You were glad to be a fool for
such a man. But if, indeed, conceit ventured too far in
the classroom, the withering sarcasm was terrible to
behold, and so quick that the victim scarcely knew what
had struck him.

Doctor Broadus was the greatest teacher of his time.
No one in this country could equal him in the marvelous
projectile force and in the inspiring momentum which
he gave to his pupils. His old pupils sought in vain
among the teachers of Germany for his equal. With
one accord they all pronounce him the greatest of
teachers. Prof. J. H. Farmer, of McMaster University,
who spent two years under Broadus in preference to the
German Universities, tells his experience in the class-
room, from whom we quote:1

And what a superb teacher he became ! Nowhere else did Doctor
Broadus seem to me quite so mighty and masterful as in the class-
room. In New Testament English he was a king enthroned. The
class was large and made up of men of all degrees of culture. A
Texan cowboy, who had never before seen the inside of a school,
sat side by side with a learned Presbyterian doctor of divinity who
had been professor in a Seminary. But everything was clear enough
for the one and strong enough for the other. He had marvelous skill
in seizing the heart of some great subject on which he had read vol-
ume after volume, and giving it to his class in a few pithy sentences
of crystalline clearness. Many of us are only gradually finding out
the real value of those lectures— the wealth of learning and wisdom
they represented.

In that class he usually spent half the time in questioning, and
half in lecturing. No time was wasted on foolish questions. It was
his custom to dictate the substance of the lecture, and, while the
students were writing, to keep up a running comment on that. Here
the great man was in his element It was his most congenial theme.
The preacher and teacher met together, the intellectual and spiritual

1 " The McMaster University Monthly," May, 1895.

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY 339

kissed each other. Mind and heart were all aglow. This was the very
business for which all his rigid self-discipline had been preparing
him. How splendidly his powers responded to the call ! Everything
was orderly. Great thoughts were flung out in the richest profusion.
Learning brought her treasures and wisdom her most precious things.
Sparkling wit, delicious humor, apt anecdote, not infrequently re-
lieved the intensity of the work. It was the most exhilarating ex-
perience I ever knew. It was the spectacle of a great personality
ablaze— the finest thing in all the world.

Doctor Broadus could not brook slipshod work either
in the classroom exercises or examinations. He held
himself to the most severe ideals of exact scholarship
even in the most minute matters. The high standard of
scholarship through the years at the Seminary is due to
his ambition in this direction. But he was no Doctor
Dry-as-Dust. He showed that learning need not be
dry. He was popular in the true sense.

On May 9, 1883, Doctor Broadus preached the sermon
before the Southern Baptist Convention, at Waco, Texas,
on three questions as to the Bible (2 Tim. 3:15). The
sermon had a wide circulation in tract form, published
by the American Baptist Publication Society. He was
asked to edit the American edition of Meyer on "Mat-
thew," but he was then occupied with his own book on
"Matthew."

J. P. BOYCEto J. A. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., Sept. 4, 1883: I received this morning from
you a copy of your sermon before the Convention. The sermon
seems to me now even better than ever before. I am glad that so
far it is a great success. I hope that it may be made more so by a
very large circulation.

T. M. MATTHEWS to J. A. B. :

EDOM, TEXAS, May 22, 1883 : I've never seen you since 1853 in
the pulpit of the church in Charlottesville when I heard you preach.
But, John, you have been preaching to me through all these years.
Pll tell you how. You remember our " autograph books " ? Well,

340 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

of ail the students I took mine to you first, that you might write in
it the first. Do you remember? [I reckon not, however. You wrote :
iv o-e v<rrepti (Mark io : 21), John Albert Broadus, University of Va.
That rang in my ears till I found " the pearl of great price," the
thing you knew I lacked. I've often thought of you since and never
without recalling this little, but to me great, incident.

Doctor Broadus's pen was busy as usual with articles
for the " Homiletic Review " (a series on Representative
Preachers)," The Independent/' " The Baptist Teacher,"
and various other publications. He was regular supply
for some months for the Ninth Street Church, Cincinnati.
He entered more and more into the life of Louisville.
He was a member of the Filson Club for promoting in-
terest in Kentucky history, and of the Conversation
Club, where he was the bright particular star. His pres-
ence was sought for almost every public function. He
became the pride of the city and beloved of all hearts.

The last of February, 1884, Doctor Broadus delivered
three lectures before the Newton Theological Institution,
on " Textual Criticism of the New Testament/' This
month also the International S. S. Lesson Committee
met in Montreal. The ice palace and toboggan slide
interested them. In a later letter Doctor Broadus ex-
plains the work of the International Committee. He
took the keenest interest in this work.

J. A. B. to MR. BOYCE BROADUS :

FROM PITTSBURG TO COLUMBUS, Nov. 14, 1891 : I have been"
to New York to meet the International S. S. Lesson Committee,
and we had two days of very hard work selecting lessons for 1894.
The committee consists of fifteen members, of all denominations,
from the United States and Canada. Our lessons are revised by a
committee in England, and at the next meeting we consider their
suggestions. But few Episcopalians adopt the lessons, because we
follow of necessity the order of the Bible books, and thus they are
not adapted to the Church Year. Our course of lessons has hereto-
fore run through the Bible in seven years, and this has been done

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY 341

three times (the last extending through 1893) ; it will next time be
six years, two and a half in Old Testament, and three and a half in
New Testament. We give separate optional lessons for Christmas
Sunday and Easter Sunday, to be used by those who like, and this
is done by a good many Episcopalians, and by many Lutherans
and others. One member of the committee is an Episcopal judge,
from Canada, a very zealous and lovable Christian gentleman. Our
lessons are widely used wherever English is spoken, including mis-
sion fields — probably studied by ten millions of persons every Sun-
day. As you have been studying them so long, and I helping to
select them for fourteen yeais, I thought you would like to know
something about the way they are selected.

In 1872 the First International S. S. Convention for the United
States and Canada adopted the system of uniform Bible Lessons.
Bishop Vincent and B. F. Jacobs, of Chicago, divide the honor of
originally suggesting and working out the plan of uniform lessons.
These two, with Dr. John Hall, of New York, and Doctor Randolph,
the secretary, have been reappointed in every successive committee.

During the early days of June, 1884, the International
Sunday-school Convention was held in Louisville. Doc-
tor Broadus was in a sense the host of the Convention
and made a wonderful speech of welcome.

At a meeting in Louisville in favor of registration for
election, Doctor Broadus spoke :

He was received with much favor by the audience. He said
American institutions were yet on their trial. The people of Europe
were saying that the experiment would end disastrously. He was
in favor of voting. In his community there were too many people
who do not vote enough, and too many people who voted too much.
He himself always voted, and always would, if he had to be carried
to the polls. The institutions of the country lead the lower classes
into temptation. He could not see how any one could object to
any law which would only be for the general good.1

THE FACULTY OF THE SEMINARY to REV. C. H. SPURGEON.

LOUISVILLE, KY., June 27, 1884: The undersigned professors in
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, beg leave to offer re-
spectful and hearty congratulations on your fiftieth birthday. We

1 " Courier-Journal," April 9, 1884.

342 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

thank God for all that he made you and has by his grace enabled you
to become and achieve. We rejoice in your great and wonderful
work as preacher and pastor, and through your Orphanage and your
Pastor's College ; as also your numerous writings, so sparkling
with genius, so filled with the spirit of the gospel. Especially we
delight to think how nobly you have defended and diffused the doc-
trines of grace ; how in an age so eager for novelty and marked by
such loosening of belief you have through long years kept the
English-speaking world for your audience while never turning aside
from the old-fashioned gospel.

And now, honored brother, we invoke upon you the continued
blessings of our covenant God. May your life and health be long
spared, if it be his will ; may Providence still smile on your varied
work, and the Holy Spirit richly bless your spoken and written mes-
sages to mankind.

This year he supplied the Washington Avenue Church,
Brooklyn, from June until September.

J. A. B. to J. P. BOYCE :

ASBURY PARK, N. J., June 8th, 1884 : I fear the papers will tell
of my misfortune on Sunday, fainting and falling after five minutes
of preaching. The people were exceedingly kind. I had a high
malarial fever, but thought I could pull through a short sermon.

I am already feeling much better, though a trifle dazed to-day
with quinine, and hope to be well soon.

G. W. RIGGAN to J. A. B. :

DUCKERS, KY., July n, 1884 : I was very sorry to see in the
papers that you were taken sick last Sunday while preaching. I
hope you have continued to improve and are now quite restored. I
know how difficult it is for you to rest in the midst of weighty re-
sponsibilities resting upon you, but there are thousands of people
who would join with me in urging you to consult your health above
everything else.

The first week in August, between the Sundays in
Brooklyn, Doctor Broadus delivered a series of lectures
on the "New Testament " at Granville, Ohio, before a
summer assembly at the Denison University. At this
time Prof. Flinders Petrie wrote from London, asking

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY 343

that he allow himself to be elected a member of the
Victoria Institute Philosophical Society. In the fall Doc-
tor Broadus was the stated supply of the First Church,
Indianapolis.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

ASBURY PARK, Sept. 6, 1884 : Mrs. Eddy said she had been filled
with admiration of your noble patience and cheerfulness while you
were here. So you see another sensible person thinks as I do about
it. Everything in the room reminds me of you. The hinge I broke
on the window-blind remains unmended. I have brought in the big
old rocking-chair from the porch. If you were here I should be very
happy. And notwithstanding all these long separations, and our
many and sore trials, I am constantly cheered and supported by the
sense of companionship with one I love so well and admire so
warmly. I do not know whether we shall ever be at the Magnolia
together again, but I pray that we may have a good many years to-
gether still in earthly life, and that we and ours may reach the life
eternal.

J. A. B. toJ. H. COGHILL:

LOUISVILLE, KY., Oct. 8, 1884 : I have read as yet only a part
of Drummond's "Natural Law in the Spiritual World." I have
long thought that we must recognize the reign of law in the mental
and spiritual as well as in the physical sphere. Drummond seems
to me to jump too far with his theory, but his work will lead to
valuable inquiry and reflection.

The opening lecture before the Seminary this fall was
given by Doctor Broadus and the theme was " English
Hymns of the Nineteenth Century." During 1885 Doc-
tor Broadus wrote critical notes on "John's Gospel"
for the " Sunday School Times." Churches in Boston,
New York, Brooklyn, Providence, Indianapolis, Chicago,
Cincinnati now clamored for his services as summer sup-
ply. His hands were never more full, for the " Com-
mentary on Matthew" was nearing completion and he
was also writing notes in textual criticism for Doctor
Hovey's " Commentary on John,"

344 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

B. B. WARFIELD to J. A. B. :

ALLEGHANY, PA., Feb. 4, 1886 : I have read with great interest
the notes on readings [Hovey on 6< John "] which you have contrib-
uted to the book, and of course, I may add, with much instruction
I find myself in substantial agreement with you in most of the con<
elusions to which you have come. , . I may venture to say that 1
disagree with your opinion that B has " Western " and " Alex-
andrian" elements m the Gospels. I also suspect that the weight
laid on ** transcnptional evidence " may occasionally mislead ; no
form of evidence, in my judgment, is more often capable of being in-
terpreted both ways. I am compelled to admit, however, that in
your hands it appears a powerful and safe instrument

J. A. B. to MISS E. T. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., Mar. 25, 1885 : I am much obliged to Doctor
Thomas for suggesting that you might study Coptic. I have been
bothered and lonesome in studying it myself the last few years, with
no one to sympathize. Perhaps it would be a good plan when you
come home for you to take it up and be company for me.

It cheers rne, my dear little woman, to think of you as having so
much enjoyment among such delightful friends. I hope you'll get
strong and rosy. Give my love to all the family.

MISS E. T. B. to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., April 22, 1885 : Doctor Thomas saw the notice
of Doctor Riggan's death in the " Despatch " on yesterday. It will
be very hard on you and Doctor Manly, I am afraid, to have so much
extra work to do, and especially as you are in such poor health now,
and trying so hard to finish the " Commentary. " And mamma's
not there either, to keep you from working too hard. How I wish I
could see you, my dear papa ! Don't you think I will be nearly big
enough to write for you by the time I get home? I am thirteen
years and nearly four days old now.

J. A. B. to MRS. B. :

LOUISVILLE, KY., April 20, 1885 : The funeral [of Doctor Rig,
gan] occurred at twelve o'clock. Considerable audience for that
hour. The sermon was very flat, but not utterly bad. It was the
best I could do without keeping myself in a great strain for forty-
eight hours, and that I carefully avoided. I feel somewhat tired this
afternoon, but not sick. We have to consider how to fill the vacancy

REALIZING HIS HOPES ABOUT THE SEMINARY 345

for next session. For the rest of this session I am already doing the
work. . .

A good many from Forks of Elkhorn came down. I am to go up
Saturday afternoon, and take part m a memorial meeting there next
Sunday. I shall give the same discourse, and the trip will rather
help me.

The discourse at the funeral of Doctor Riggan made a
profound impression and many remembered it as one of
the most wonderful experiences of their lives. It was
published in tract form at the request of the faculty and
is contained in " Sermons and Addresses."

W. W. LANDRUM to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., April 30, 1885 : Our pastors' conference was
stunned by the announcement of the death of Professor Riggan. All
Richmond deplores his loss. Indeed, it does not appear to some of
us where in the South his successor is to be found. Though I knew
him only slightly, relying upon the testimony of our competent
judges, I must presume he was a remarkable student and teacher
for his years. Assured, as I am, that the Seminary is of God and
for God, I have no fear as to its ever- increasing influence and power.
And you will let me say, my dear doctor, that, so far as I am able,
I will seek to reproduce in my life and labors the example, as to creed
and conduct, set me by yourself while I was a student there.

W. J. GUSHING to J. A. B. :

PROVIDENCE, R. I., April 25, 1885 : In conversation recently with
Doctor Guild, librarian of Brown University, upon the subject of
the "• Education of the Negro in the South," he said that among the
ablest and most interesting essays upon that subject he should place
the essay written by you that appeared a year or a year and a half
ago in the " Chicago Standard." I take the liberty, at his sug-
gestion, of writing to you to ask if those essays have ever been
published in pamphlet form?1

1 Some years later Doctor Broadus, at the request of President C. K Adams,
wrote an elaborate article on " The Negro" for the Johnson's "Cyclopedia," which
failed to appear, however, by some oversight in the office. In this article he had
amplified his theory of the three original types of the Negro, the brown with regu-
lar features, the black with regular features and thin lips, and the Guinea Negro
with flat nose and thick lips.

346 LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOHN A. BROADUS

In May, 1885, Rev. John R. Sampey, of Alabama, was
elected assistant instructor in Old and New Testament
Interpretation and Homiletics, thus doing the work pre-
viously performed by Doctor Riggan, and aiding both
Doctors Manly and Broadus.

J. A. B. to BASIL MANLY :

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 2, 1885 : I am convinced that a professor
who is growing old must take very great pains to freshen up his in-
struction, examine the new books, lecture on new topics, etc., or the
students will begin to make the always damaging comparison with
his former self.

Doctor Broadus remained in Louisville this summer
hoping to push the " Commentary on Matthew " through
and did little preaching, save for the First Church of In-
dianapolis in June. In the July " Homiletic Review"
he had a notable article on "Pulpit Power," while in
the October " Baptist Quarterly " he advocated the
" Elective System for Theological Seminaries."

H. H. HARRIS to J. A. B. :

RICHMOND, VA., Sept. i, 1885 : Yours of the 25th misses some-
what the point of my discovery (?) with regard to the healing near
Jericho. It did not touch the variance between Matthew and Mark,
as to two or one, but between these and Luke, as to the place.

The suggestion occurred about as follows : We had spent the night
near old Jericho, identified by its rums and fountain, and thence going
" up to Jerusalem " had to ride southward a mile or two, " enter and
pass through " the ruins of a Roman city, commonly called " Herod's
Jericho," and then turn eastward up the Wady Kelt or Brook Cherith.
My most congenial and helpful co